Day of the Seafarer 2026

"Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks"

This year, the Day of the Seafarer campaign focuses on revealing the realities of life at sea, highlighting the hardship, pressure and risks that seafarers can face. It draws particular attention to the challenges of operating in high-risk and conflict-affected areas, while underscoring the essential role seafarers play in keeping the global economy moving.

The campaign is built around the line: “Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks”. It reflects the fact that seafarers keep global trade moving, while often facing difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions. Their contribution is often out of sight, even though they are central to the movement of goods around the world.  

The aim is for this year’s Day of the Seafarer to not only recognize seafarers’ contribution but also acknowledge the risks and sacrifices behind it. 

The hashtag for this year is #DayoftheSeafarer

IMO Secretary-General message

Watch this special message from IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez:

How you can contribute

Here's how you can contribute to our 2026 Day of the Seafarer edition:

• If you are a seafarer

  Share what “Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks.” means to you. Tell us about the realities of life at sea, the challenges you face, or the moments that define your work. Join the conversation using #DayoftheSeafarer

• If you work in shipping or the maritime industry

  Highlight how your company or organization supports seafarers’ safety, wellbeing and mental health — particularly for those operating in high-risk or conflict-affected areas.

• If you are a government or maritime administration

  Share the actions, policies or initiatives you are taking to support and protect seafarers working under difficult conditions.

• If you are an NGO, welfare organization or union

  Tell us how you support seafarers and their families, especially those facing isolation, insecurity or the pressures of operating in challenging environments.

• If you are part of the UN family or an international organization

  Share how seafarers connect to your work and why their role is essential to global trade, humanitarian assistance and sustainable development.
  

• If you are a maritime educator, researcher or academic institution

  Help raise awareness by sharing research, training initiatives or perspectives on the human element of shipping and the risks seafarers face at sea.
  

• For everyone
  

  Join us in recognizing the contribution, resilience and sacrifices of seafarers worldwide. Share your message using #DayoftheSeafarer
  

Access the digital board and download all resources here!

Background

The Day of the Seafarer (25 June) was established in a resolution adopted by the 2010 Diplomatic Conference in Manila to adopt the revised STCW Convention. Its stated purpose is to recognize the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole.

The resolution "encourages Governments, shipping organizations, companies, shipowners and all other parties concerned to duly and appropriately promote the Day of the Seafarer and take action to celebrate it meaningfully".

Day of the Seafarer is recognized by the United Nations as an observance day.

More information about the previous Day of the Seafarers here.