Under the auspices of International Maritime Organization (IMO), World Maritime Day (WMD) is observed annually on the last Thursday of September. This international event offers a platform to reflect on the crucial role of shipping and mariners in sustaining the world economy while highlighting the responsibilities of maritime states to safeguard and preserve the oceans.

For the year 2025, IMO has selected the theme “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.”

This theme reflects upon the dual aspects of humanity’s links with the oceans. On one side, humankind depends on the oceans for trade, sustenance, climate change, and biodiversity. On the other hand, they have the responsibility to protect these resources for the benefit of future generations. Entrenched within this responsibility is a noteworthy chance to transform global shipping into a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable sector.

Shipping endures to serve as the backbone of world maritime trade. Nearly 80% of global goods are transported by sea, as mentioned in the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). More than 10 billion tons of cargo, including food, energy, and manufactured goods, move across oceans each year. The efficiency of maritime trade has been instrumental in connecting markets, stabilizing supply chains, and driving economic growth.

However, this progress comes at a considerable environmental cost. Shipping is responsible for approximately 3% of global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. If left unchecked, this share could rise up to as much as 17% by 2050. Moreover, ships release sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides........

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