World Maritime Day, observed on September 24, focuses this year on implementing international rules to achieve cleaner seas. The 2026-2025 theme, “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence,” aims to translate maritime knowledge into concrete action for environmental protection.

A key challenge highlighted by a recent International Maritime Organization forum in Singapore is preparing for pollution incidents involving new alternative fuels. The IMO Research and Development Forum, held on September 21-22 with support from China, gathered regulators, scientists, and industry experts to discuss fuels like liquefied natural gas, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen. Discussions covered spill behavior, risk assessment, and emergency response, stressing the need for closer cooperation to address knowledge gaps.

The practical urgency was illustrated by the Caroline Bezengi tanker accident off Oman in June, where an oil spill reached a protected marine area. Meanwhile, long-term protection relies on ecosystem restoration. During China’s 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), projects in Fujian Province restored thousands of hectares of coastal wetlands and mangroves. These efforts show marine protection requires preparing for new risks, responding to accidents, and restoring damaged ecosystems.