World Oceans Day (8 June) highlights shipping’s responsibility to protect the marine environment.
To mark World Ocean Day on 8 June, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is calling on its 176 Member States and the global shipping industry to step up implementation of measures to protect the marine environment.
In a video message for World Oceans Day, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said:
“At IMO, we take our responsibility to protect the ocean seriously. With shipping being one of the main users of the ocean space, it is the reason why we focus on enhancing our regulatory framework to reduce pollution and address new challenges, such as underwater radiated noise and transboundary species.”
“Beyond setting the rules, we must put policy into practice,” he added, reflecting the IMO World Maritime Day theme for 2026-2027: ‘From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence'.
IMO’s regulatory framework for ocean protection
Over many decades, IMO has established a robust set of international instruments to prevent pollution, protect marine life, and support safer, more sustainable shipping.
Global treaties such as the MARPOL Convention on the prevention of marine pollution from ships, Ballast Water Management Convention and Anti-Fouling Systems Convention to limit the spread of invasive aquatic species, the Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling, and the London Convention and Protocol on dumping of wastes at sea, all work to safeguard the marine environment.
Robban Assafina is now on WhatsApp channel. Click Here
