World Maritime Day 2025 carries the International Maritime Organization’s theme Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity, a call to recognise shipping’s role in ocean stewardship and sustainable development. More than 80% of world trade moves by sea, and for Malta, whose shipping, yachting and hospitality sectors all depend on healthy seas, the theme is both a challenge and a call to action.
The theme points to responsibility and innovation, from conventions such as MARPOL to the new BBNJ agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, while inviting industry and communities to find new, sustainable opportunities at sea.
Yachting Malta has worked to put that into practice. Its three-year Sustainability Plan, developed with the guidance of 11th Hour Racing, builds environmental responsibility into every part of yachting, from marinas to events. Its first step, eliminating single-use plastics at events and in the clubs through reusable bottles and reverse osmosis plants, saved over 1,000 single-use bottles at a single regatta, and its Power4Med work is now helping Malta’s marinas plan a greener future.
