World Maritime Day 2025 - "Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity"

25th September 2025

Jehan Ashmore

World Maritime Day 2025 today (25 Sept) celebrates the international maritime industry's contribution to the world's economy, especially in shipping. Credit: Tadhg O'Keeffe/ Port of Cork LinkedIn

World Maritime Day 2025 takes place today (25 Sept), and this year's theme is "Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity".

The event is organised by the United Nations (UN), via the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which created World Maritime Day to celebrate the international maritime industry's contribution towards the world’s economy, especially in shipping.

Several initiatives will take place to commemorate the Day, including:

Lighting up landmarks: IMO Headquarters (located along the Thames Embankment, London) will be bathed in blue light in the evening of the day to promote this year's theme. IMO invites Member States, intergovernmental organizations in cooperation with IMO, and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO to light up landmarks. Please find the 2024 photo gallery here. Read more details here.

Social media participation: Spread the word!

IMO invites Members States and everyone in the maritime industry to celebrate the day by using the hashtag #WorldMaritimeDay and tagging IMO on social media (X, formerly Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn).

Share how IMO and the shipping sector works to protect the ocean: Download digital cards (via flickr album).

Published in Ports & Shipping

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About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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