As part of World Maritime Day 2026, observed on 24 September under the theme “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence,” the International Maritime Organization (IMO) highlights the importance of transforming maritime policies and regulations into concrete actions that contribute to cleaner and safer shipping.
In his message marking the occasion, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez emphasized that international regulations can only have a meaningful impact when they are effectively implemented worldwide, with particular attention to the people who work at sea.
This call is especially relevant to Central America, where the Central American Commission for Maritime Transport (COCATRAM) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), maintain a cooperative relationship aimed at strengthening the technical capacities of countries in the region for the effective implementation of IMO instruments.
For COCATRAM, the vision and importance of bridging the gap between policy development and implementation are directly linked to regional cooperation efforts aimed at promoting knowledge exchange, institutional strengthening, and the development of training and capacity-building initiatives.
A concrete example of these efforts was the First Meeting of Directors of Maritime Authorities of Latin America (DAMLA 1), held from 27 to 29 July 2026 in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Convened by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and co-organized with the support of COCATRAM and the Government of Guatemala, as host country, the meeting resulted in an agreement among participating States on a common regional agenda and a work plan to strengthen maritime cooperation in Latin America, including actions aimed at enhancing regional coordination in the field of technical cooperation.
In this way, DAMLA 1 provides a tangible example of how dialogue, cooperation, and capacity-building can help move from policy to practical implementation—collaborative efforts that are fully aligned with the World Maritime Day theme for the 2026–2027 biennium.
In this context, COCATRAM joins the IMO’s call and reaffirms its commitment to continue strengthening regional cooperation and supporting Central American countries in their efforts to translate maritime policies into practice, thereby contributing to the continued evolution of the maritime industry toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Ultimately, moving from policy to practice must become a shared commitment to continue advancing maritime excellence throughout the Central American region.
Happy World Maritime Day 2026!
#WorldMaritimeDay #MaritimePolicytoPractice #COCATRAM #IMO #StrategicCollaboration
Check the message of the IMO Secretary-General here:
