24.09.2026
As we approach World Maritime Day 2026, the focus turns to the theme: “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence”. Chosen by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), this theme matters because it will guide discussions for not just one, but two consecutive years, marking the first time such a theme has been extended. It emphasises that while policies shape the maritime industry, their real impact hinges on effective application by individuals at every level, whether at sea or in a port.
To truly elevate our industry, we must bridge the gap between established rules and their execution. This process begins with knowledge and flourishes through skill development. Join us to explore how policy can become practice and pursue maritime excellence together this year.
The theme for World Maritime Day 2026 focuses on the crucial transition from “policy to practice”. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has emphasised the importance of translating collective decisions made in conference rooms into tangible outcomes that impact every port and deck. A rule agreed upon during meetings remains ineffective unless it is enforced by a port state control officer, implemented by a ship’s engineer or incorporated into daily inspections by a flag state administrator. To address this gap between agreement and action , the campaign surrounding this theme has identified several key objectives:
What stands out is that many of these objectives hinge on the skills and training of personnel. This focus is a consistent theme in the shipping industry today, underscoring the critical importance of human expertise in driving progress.
The maritime industry is in a state of constant evolution and 2026 has already highlighted several significant shifts that require professionals to adapt and acquire new skills. Here are three major changes that stand out:
The ambition for decarbonisation is becoming a mandate. The 2023 IMO Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships has set a clear direction for the industry, prompting the need for a skilled workforce to achieve these goals. Research by the Maritime Just Transition Task Force indicates that by the mid-2030s, as many as 800,000 seafarers may require additional training to operate vessels powered by zero- or near-zero-emission fuels. It is essential that maritime education providers address this pressing need for training before it poses a safety threat.
In May 2026, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee adopted the International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships, also known as the MASS Code, during its 111th session in London. This groundbreaking code establishes goal-based safety standards for remotely operated and autonomous vessels , applying initially on a voluntary basis to large internationally trading cargo ships starting in July 2026. This shift redefines what “competence” entails in modern ship operations, whether on the bridge or in shore-based control centres.
The Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, better known as STCW, is currently under review. Over 500 regulatory gaps have been identified, with formal amendments not expected until 2031 or 2032. This timeline creates a significant disparity between existing regulations and the evolving needs of modern vessels and their crews. Taken together, these shifts illustrate that bridging the gap between “policy and practice” cannot rely solely on regulation. It requires a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation from everyone involved in the maritime sector.
When Dominguez discusses the practice in the maritime industry, he emphasises the crucial role of people at every level. This includes seafarers on board, port workers, onshore operations managers, ship recycling personnel and officials who inspect and certify vessels. How policy translates into practice varies greatly depending on one’s position in the industry.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of all these roles hinges on the knowledge and expertise of maritime professionals who continuously keep pace with the evolving regulations they are tasked with enforcing.
In today’s rapidly evolving industry, relying solely on past qualifications is no longer sufficient. While a certification earned ten years ago still holds value, it may not reflect current realities shaped by the MASS Code, alternative fuels and the emissions targets the shipping sector is striving to meet. As such, continued professional development has become essential for anyone committed to a long-term career in this field. Professionals who actively engage in ongoing learning experience numerous benefits:
Policy sets the direction. Knowledge turns that policy into action. Practice is where change happens and it improves only when the people responsible keep learning.
Since its establishment in 2012, MLA College has been dedicated to supporting maritime professionals throughout their careers. This year’s theme resonates deeply with that mission. Instead of requiring you to pause your career at sea or onshore to pursue full-time studies, MLA College’s distance learning model helps you build your maritime knowledge and skills while continuing in your current role. This approach is especially beneficial for those on board, where a fixed classroom schedule is often impractical.
As the maritime industry undergoes transformation through decarbonisation, digitalisation and stricter regulations, its workforce must also adapt and expand their expertise. This need for flexibility in learning aligns seamlessly with this year’s World Maritime Day 2026 theme. By promoting education that complements rather than competes with your professional life, MLA College is committed to fostering growth and development in the maritime sector.
Explore our wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes .
World Maritime Day is marked globally on the final Thursday of September. In 2026, that falls on 24 September.
The theme is From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence. The IMO selected it to run across both 2026 and 2027, focusing on turning global maritime rules into real enforcement and everyday practice.
This is the first time a World Maritime Day theme has run for a full biennium. The IMO Council backed the extended timeline because closing the gap between policy and practice, particularly around decarbonisation and capacity building, needs sustained attention rather than a single year of focus.
Research for the Maritime Just Transition Task Force estimates that up to 800,000 seafarers may need additional training by the mid-2030s to work safely on ships using zero- or near-zero-emission fuels.
No. The theme covers everyone connected to shipping, including port workers, operations and compliance teams, ship recycling staff and maritime administrators, alongside seafarers on board.
MLA College has worked with maritime professionals since 2012, offering distance learning that fits around careers at sea and ashore, so students can build maritime knowledge and skills without stepping away from their jobs.
