From Policy to Practice: IMO Unveils Global Push to Power Maritime Excellence

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has launched a two-year global campaign aimed at closing the gap between maritime policy and on-the-ground practice, unveiling the World Maritime Day theme for 2026–2027: “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”

The initiative seeks to ensure that the global regulatory framework developed by IMO is not only adopted on paper, but applied consistently and effectively across ports, ships and administrations worldwide.

A Call to Action from the IMO Secretary-General

Announcing the campaign in a video message, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez emphasized that international standards only deliver value when they are implemented in daily operations.

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“When we talk about ‘practice’, we are talking about people,” he said. “The seafarers on the ship; the people in the port; those managing ship operations, ship recycling workers, port State control officers and flag State administrators.”

For the maritime sector to be truly sustainable, Dominguez stressed, high standards must be felt everywhere — not applied selectively or unevenly.

“These standards must be experienced in every port and on every deck — globally,” he said. “IMO is committed to powering this transition through technical cooperation and direct support.”

Closing the Enforcement Gap

IMO’s extensive framework of conventions, codes and guidelines underpins safe, secure and environmentally responsible shipping worldwide. But its effectiveness depends on how well Member States transpose and enforce these rules at national level.

Audits carried out under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) have repeatedly highlighted shortcomings in national legislation, oversight and enforcement. Such gaps weaken regulations and increase the risks of non-compliance and unsafe shipping practices.

The new campaign is designed to address those challenges head-on, by strengthening States’ understanding of IMO instruments and enhancing their capacity to implement them consistently.

Nine Pillars to Drive Practical Change

At the heart of the initiative is a focus on nine priority areas that translate policy commitments into operational reality:

Capacity development and technical cooperation

Supporting countries with legislative frameworks, enforcement systems and training to apply IMO rules effectively.

Support for SIDS and LDCs

Providing tailored legal and technical assistance to Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries, while recognising their specific constraints and highlighting progress.

Safety first through innovation

Ensuring new safety standards on alternative fuels, automation and digitalisation are matched by updated training, oversight and risk management.

Regulatory readiness for decarbonization

Equipping States to implement the IMO GHG Reduction Strategy safely, consistently and in line with operational realities.

Combating fraudulent registration and maritime fraud

Strengthening due diligence, transparency and data-sharing to prevent misuse of national flags and unlawful practices.

Audit-driven improvement

Using IMSAS findings to target legal and enforcement reforms, enhance oversight and support continuous improvement.

Facilitation, digitalisation and resilience

Embedding digital tools such as Maritime Single Windows into everyday port operations to boost efficiency and resilience.

Cybersecurity and maritime security

Integrating cyber risk management into safety systems, training and port operations to safeguard global shipping networks.

Ocean protection beyond emissions

Implementing IMO environmental instruments on plastics, underwater radiated noise, invasive species and ship recycling through national laws and daily operations.

A Two-Year Global Campaign

The IMO Secretariat will roll out a coordinated two-year action plan, featuring global and regional events, outreach activities, knowledge products, partnerships and social media engagement.

Member States and observer organizations are encouraged to organize their own events throughout 2026–2027 and share outcomes with the IMO Secretariat. Participants are also invited to amplify discussions online using #WorldMaritimeDay and #MaritimePolicytoPractice.

Turning Decisions into Results

Closing the launch message, Secretary-General Dominguez urged the maritime community to move decisively beyond commitments made in meeting rooms.

“Let us move beyond the conference room and turn our collective decisions into real-world results that benefit everyone,” he said. “It is time to move decisively from policy to practice.”

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