Protecting the ocean is central to 2025 world maritime theme. The ocean plays a vital role in global trade, employment, food security, and climate regulation. As the largest sector operating in this space, shipping is pivotal in safeguarding marine environments and managing ocean resources sustainably.
New Theme
Our Ocean
Our Obligation
Our Opportunity
Has been selected as the International Maritime Organization’s World Maritime Day theme for 2025, which will culminate in the celebration of World Maritime Day on 25 September 2025.
The IMO Council, meeting for its 132nd session, endorsed the theme following a proposal by IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez.
The theme reflects the ocean’s vital role in the world economy, with more than 80% of global trade transported by sea. The ocean is a source of jobs and food for millions of people, a home for countless marine species, and a regulator of the planet’s climate, mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Regulatory Framework
IMO has developed extensive global regulations, including the MARPOL Convention, to mitigate the environmental impact of shipping through rules on pollution prevention and control.
Over many decades, IMO has developed and adopted mandatory rules, recommendations and guidelines to protect the marine environment from any potential negative impact of shipping. These include binding treaties applied on ships globally. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), first adopted in 1973, covers pollution from oil, dangerous chemicals, packaged goods, sewage and garbage, and harmful emissions from ships.
Other marine environment-related treaties cover the dumping of wastes at sea (London Convention and Protocol); managing ships’ ballast water to prevent the spread of potentially invasive aquatic species (Ballast Water Management Convention); control of anti-fouling systems; and preparedness and response for spills of oil or chemicals.
These international regulations are supported by technical assistance programs and projects that support Member States in tackling specific challenges such as marine plastic litter, greenhouse gas emissions from ships, and the spread of invasive aquatic species through ballast water and biofouling.
IMO’s work in these areas directly supports the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
- SDG 14 on life below water;
- SDG 13 on climate action;
- SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure; and
- SDG 17 on partnerships.
The new theme emphasizes the link to wider global efforts to protect the ocean including the conclusion of UN Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), the negotiation of a new instrument to address plastic pollution and the third UN Ocean Conference in June 2025.
Technical Assistance
IMO supports its 176 Member States with technical programs addressing marine pollution, invasive species, and greenhouse gas emissions from ships, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Global Collaboration
The theme highlights IMO’s role in global efforts like the BBNJ Agreement and initiatives against marine plastic pollution, emphasizing partnerships and coordinated efforts for sustainable ocean use.
This theme will spotlight the interconnectedness of shipping with ocean sustainability, promoting global collaboration for a safer and more sustainable maritime future.
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Source: IMO
