Maritime Events

Annual IMO observance recognising the contribution of seafarers to world trade and global society. The theme for 2026 focuses on seafarer wellbeing and mental health.

The 82nd session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82) adopted key amendments to MARPOL Annex VI under the revised GHG Strategy, including a new net-zero framework for international shipping by 2050.

The cruise ship Costa Concordia ran aground and capsized off the island of Isola del Giglio, Tuscany, Italy, on 13 January 2012. 32 of the 4,252 people on board died. The ship's master, Francesco Schettino, was convicted of multiple manslaughter and abandoning ship.

The IMO's annual World Maritime Day, observed during the last week of September. It marks the contribution of international shipping and the regulatory work of the IMO. The 2026 date falls on the last Thursday of September.

United Nations observance held every 8 June to raise awareness of the oceans and the need to protect marine environments, including from shipping impacts such as plastic litter, noise and greenhouse-gas emissions.

One of the shipping industry's largest international exhibitions and conferences, held biennially in Athens. Brings together shipowners, operators, shipbuilders, equipment makers and service providers from across the global maritime cluster.

A leading international maritime trade fair, held biennially in Hamburg. Covers shipbuilding, marine equipment, propulsion, digitalisation and the green-energy transition of shipping.

A major biennial maritime week and exhibition based in Norway, a leading offshore and shipping nation. Focuses on ocean economy, decarbonisation, autonomy and the next generation of ship technology.

An industry week of conferences, seminars and networking centred on London as a maritime services hub. Organised with the UK government and the shipping industry.

The tanker Exxon Valdez, loaded with crude oil, struck Bligh Reef and spilled roughly 37,000 tonnes of oil into Prince William Sound. The spill contaminated hundreds of kilometres of Alaskan coastline and caused extensive wildlife mortality.

The supertanker Torrey Canyon ran aground on the Seven Stones reef, spilling around 100,000 tonnes of crude oil. It was the first major tanker spill to receive worldwide television coverage.

The roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry Herald of Free Enterprise capsized minutes after leaving Zeebrugge because her bow doors had been left open, allowing water to flood the car deck. 193 passengers and crew died.

The single-hull tanker Prestige suffered hull damage in heavy weather, leaked oil, and was ordered out to sea before breaking up and sinking on 19 November, releasing tens of thousands of tonnes of heavy fuel oil onto the Atlantic coast of Spain and France.

The ultra-large container ship Ever Given ran aground across the Suez Canal and blocked the waterway for six days, halting an estimated 12% of global trade and creating a queue of hundreds of ships.