• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
Every last Thursday of September, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) celebrates World Maritime Day, a date dedicated to highlighting the importance of maritime transport, as well as the challenges it faces and the impacts derived from its operations.
This September 24th, this celebration is commemorated under the theme "From Policy to Practice: Driving Maritime Excellence," which, for the first time, will be maintained for two consecutive years (2026 and 2027).
To better understand the current scenario, according to sector reports, global maritime transport moves more than 80% of global merchandise trade, which positions it as a fundamental component for international supply chains. However, this sector is entering a period of fragile growth, increasing costs, and growing uncertainty, noted the United Nations (UN).
In this new edition of World Maritime Day, the IMO highlighted the need for sector standards to move to implementation. To advance in this task, the organization contemplates technical assistance, training, and cooperation among its member states.
Part of the current regulations make it clear that decarbonization continues to be a pending task. Among the main international instruments are the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). The latter, through its Annex VI, establishes measures to reduce atmospheric pollution and improve the energy efficiency of vessels.
The need to advance in this direction is reflected in the figures from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD): during 2024, greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport increased by 5%; while as of May 2025, only 8% of the global fleet's tonnage was equipped to use alternative fuels.
In addition to existing regulations, there is the proposed IMO Net Zero Framework. The proposal outlines a global standard for the intensity of maritime fuel emissions, as well as an economic mechanism to price greenhouse gas emissions from ships. However, its formal adoption was postponed for a year during last October's negotiations, so it does not yet constitute an international regulation in force.
On the other hand, the IMO also highlighted the effects of international conflicts on navigation and supply chains. Attacks against merchant ships in various conflict zones, including the Strait of Hormuz, have increased risks for crews and disrupted the movement of goods.
"The lives of seafarers are threatened, and the global supply of fuel, fertilizers, and food has been disrupted. These disruptions to the global economy have devastating consequences, especially for developing countries," said António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General.
Thus, World Maritime Day 2026 makes it clear that the challenges of maritime transport go beyond establishing new commitments. For an industry that sustains a significant part of international trade, the application of existing standards and the development of low-emission technologies will be central elements of its transformation in the coming years.
The main image was generated with artificial intelligence.