Maritime Events Calendar: Key Dates for the Seafaring Year

The maritime calendar is denser than most seafarers realise — a series of international dates, observances, and industry events that shape welfare campaigns, regulatory announcements, and industry conversations throughout the year. Whether you are a seafarer, maritime professional, or industry stakeholder, knowing the key dates helps you engage with the industry's wider narrative and understand the campaigns your employers, unions, and welfare organisations are running.

The Key Annual Dates

8 March — International Women's Day

Maritime organisations including WISTA International, the IMO Women in Maritime Programme, and Nautilus International typically publish annual reports on gender diversity in maritime around International Women's Day. This is the date to watch for data on female seafarer representation, new scholarship announcements, and employer diversity commitments.

8 June — World Ocean Day

Established by the United Nations, World Ocean Day focuses on ocean health, marine pollution, and the relationship between human activity and marine ecosystems. For maritime professionals, this is a natural moment to engage with green shipping developments, MARPOL compliance conversations, and the industry's broader environmental narrative. The World Ocean Day organisation coordinates events globally.

18 May — International Women in Maritime Day

Established by the IMO in 2021, this day specifically recognises women working in maritime — sea-going and shore-based — and highlights the ongoing campaign to improve representation and address structural barriers. The IMO typically uses the date to announce new fellowship and training initiatives. WISTA UK and WISTA International hold annual events. Details at imo.org.

25 June — Day of the Seafarer

The IMO's annual recognition of the global seafarer workforce — see our full Day of the Seafarer guide for history, themes, and how to participate. The date marks the anniversary of the Manila Amendments to STCW (adopted 25 June 2010).

Second Sunday in July — Sea Sunday

The maritime welfare charities' annual focal point — Mission to Seafarers, Apostleship of the Sea, Sailors' Society, ISWAN. See our Sea Sunday guide for full detail on the charities involved and how to support them.

September — World Maritime Day

World Maritime Day is observed in the last week of September each year, coinciding with the IMO Assembly and Council sessions. The Secretary-General announces the year's theme in advance; themes in recent years have included digital shipping, clean shipping, and new technologies. This is the IMO's primary annual set piece — major regulatory announcements, policy papers, and the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea are all presented at World Maritime Day events. Full calendar at imo.org.

November — Remembrance Sunday / Merchant Navy Remembrance

The Merchant Navy Memorial at Tower Hill, London, and memorial services at maritime memorials across the UK honour the 36,749 British Merchant Navy seafarers lost in the Second World War and the thousands more lost in peacetime service. Nautilus International and the Mission to Seafarers co-ordinate annual memorial services.

Industry Events and Exhibitions

• Nor-Shipping (Oslo, biennial — odd years): Major Scandinavian maritime exhibition and conference
• SMM Hamburg (biennial — even years): Europe's largest shipbuilding, machinery, and maritime technology exhibition
• Europort Rotterdam (biennial): Port and offshore maritime show
• DSEI London (biennial): Defence and maritime security exhibition
• Seawork International (Southampton, annual — June): UK working vessel and maritime services exhibition
• London International Shipping Week (biennial): Major international maritime conference week, City of London