Eutelsat and Intellian Launch Portable LEO Terminal for Frontline Connectivity
February 13, 2026
1:30 pm
Read More »
Back
IMO Pushes “Policy to Practice” Agenda to Close Global Enforcement Gaps
IMO Pushes “Policy to Practice” Agenda to Close Global Enforcement Gaps
The IMO is shifting its focus from rulemaking to real-world results. Under its 2026–2027 World Maritime Day theme, the message is clear: global standards only work if they are applied consistently — in every port and on every ship.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has unveiled a two-year campaign built around the theme “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”
Announced by Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez in a launch message, the initiative calls for stronger, more uniform implementation of IMO regulations worldwide.
The central argument is straightforward: adopting conventions on paper is not enough. The true measure of maritime governance lies in how effectively those standards are enforced in daily operations — onboard ships, in ports, and within national administrations.
Dominguez emphasized that “practice” ultimately comes down to people — seafarers, port workers, technical managers, recycling yard employees, flag State officials and port State control inspectors.
For the maritime system to function safely and sustainably, high standards must be applied globally — not selectively.
The enforcement gap
The IMO’s framework of conventions, codes and guidelines is designed to safeguard life at sea, facilitate efficient trade and protect the marine environment. But audits conducted under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) have repeatedly identified shortcomings in how some countries transpose and enforce those rules domestically.
Gaps in legislation, limited oversight capacity and inconsistent compliance weaken the overall system. In practical terms, that can translate into unsafe ships, uneven environmental protection and competitive imbalances.
The new campaign aims to address those weaknesses head-on by strengthening Member States’ capacity to adopt and enforce IMO instruments effectively.
Nine pillars for action
The initiative is structured around nine priority areas:
- Capacity development and technical cooperation, including legislative support and enforcement training.
- Targeted assistance for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), recognizing their unique constraints.
- Operationalizing new safety standards, particularly for alternative fuels, automation and digitalization. Regulatory readiness for decarbonization, enabling safe and consistent implementation of the IMO’s greenhouse gas reduction strategy.
- Combating fraudulent ship registration and maritime fraud, with improved transparency and data-sharing.
- Audit-driven reform, using IMSAS findings to guide legal and oversight improvements.
- Digitalization and facilitation, including embedding Maritime Single Windows into daily port operations.
- Cybersecurity integration, ensuring cyber risk management becomes part of standard safety systems.
- Broader ocean protection, addressing plastics, underwater radiated noise, invasive species and ship recycling beyond GHG measures. Together, these pillars signal a broader shift in focus — from drafting conventions to ensuring those conventions deliver measurable impact.
Beyond conferences
The IMO Secretariat plans to roll out a two-year action programme featuring events, partnerships, technical cooperation projects and social media engagement.
Member States and observer organizations are encouraged to host activities throughout 2026–2027 and share outcomes under the hashtags #WorldMaritimeDay and #MaritimePolicytoPractice.
The overarching message from the Secretary-General: the industry must move beyond conference rooms and translate collective decisions into operational results.
Why This Matters
- For shipowners and operators: More consistent global enforcement reduces regulatory uncertainty and levels the competitive playing field.
- For seafarers: Stronger implementation of safety and environmental standards directly affects onboard working conditions and risk exposure.
- For flag and port States: Audit-driven reforms and digitalization efforts will reshape inspection regimes and compliance expectations.
- For maritime startups and innovators: Increased focus on digital systems, cybersecurity and decarbonization readiness creates new demand for practical, scalable solutions.
Global shipping runs on common rules. The IMO’s next challenge is ensuring those rules work the same way — everywhere.
TUI Cruises to Retrofit Mein Schiff 6 with Compressor-Free Air Lubrication
February 13, 2026
1:18 pm
Read More »
Marcura’s CEO: In Maritime Tech, Speed and Scale Now Decide the Winners
February 13, 2026
12:58 pm
Read More »
IMO Pushes “Policy to Practice” Agenda to Close Global Enforcement Gaps
February 13, 2026
12:23 pm
Read More »
Simulation, Not Assumptions: How ABS Is Building a Safety Case for Ammonia at Sea
February 13, 2026
12:13 pm
Read More »
