Welcome to the Celebration of World Maritime Day 2026!

World Maritime Day was established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations’ specialized agency for shipping. Each year, the IMO selects a theme that highlights key challenges and opportunities facing the maritime sector. The theme for 2026, “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence,” emphasizes how effective regulatory frameworks can be translated into practical action and tangible results across the industry.

This year’s theme aligns closely with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG 13 – Climate Action
• SDG 14 – Life Below Water
• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

A warm welcome!

Programme

11:30 Networking lunch

13:00 Introduction

13:05 Opening remarks

• Professor Maximo Q. Mejia Jr., President, World Maritime University

13:15  Welcome from City of Malmö 

• Viktoria Morén, Head of Real Estate and Land Development Department at Real Estate, Streets and Parks Office, City of Malmö

13:30 IMO regulations on a general level – what does the framework look like today, and what can we expect in the future?

• Gabor Szemler, The Swedish Transport Agency

13:45 Panel discussion: SOLAS and the IMO’s work on safety and security  issues,Cyber risk management, navigation, GPS interference

• Moderator: Niklas Da Silva,
  Senior Policy Advisor, Swedish Shipowner’s Association
• Panelists:
  • Johan Wahlström,
    Head of Maritime Coordination and Development, Swedish Maritime Administration
  • Alexander von Buxhoeveden,
    Head of Unit, Department of Preparedness, Länsstyrelsen Skåne
  • Professor Henning Jessen, Maritime Law and Digital Change, World Maritime University
  • Elin Johansson, HSQE controller,  Furetank
  • Gabor Szemler, The Swedish Transport Agency

14:25 MARPOL and GHG negotiations – what is the state of play?”

• Eirik Nyhus, Vice President, Director Environment, DNV
• Christina Palmén, Key Account Manager, DNV

14:45 Coffee break

15:15 CII and EEXI: Energy efficiency and reduced emissions – how we contribute

• Jennie Folkunger, Head of Environment & Sustainability, Trelleborgs Hamn
• Annika Kristensson, Deputy CEO, Terntank

15:50 STCW: Regulations for seafarer training and certification – how do we prepare for the future?

• Fredrik Olindersson, Head of School, Chalmers School of Maritime Studies

• Dr. Michael Manuel, Vice President (Provost) World Maritime University

16:20 Panel discussion: From know-how to show-how – this is how we did it

• Ethan Faghani, CEO, Cetasol
• Amrit Kaur Bhullar, CEO, Oceanbird
• Jörgen Karlsson, Head of Marine Sweden, ABB
• Andreas Bach, Managing Director, Lighthouse

16:55 Closing remarks and practical information

17:00-19.30 Maritime networking dinner

September 25

08:20-09:00 Buss ride

09:00–11:30 Study visit – Saab Kockums Naval in Lund

Study visit is closed for registration.