Policy to practice: closing the implementation gap
Today is World Maritime Day. The IMO's theme for 2026 and 2027 is From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.
The idea behind it is simple. Global rules deliver safer, more resilient and cleaner shipping once they are put into practice, everywhere.
In his message for the day, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said: "Implementation must make a difference where it matters most – for the people working at sea."
Two sides of the same gap
For regulators, closing the gap means turning conventions into national law and strengthening oversight. This year the IMO completed the first full cycle of its Member State Audit Scheme, covering 168 Member States. It is now directing technical assistance, training and peer learning where they are needed most.
For operators, the gap shows up in the day-to-day:
- Knowing which requirements apply to each vessel, on each route, at each port.
- Keeping the safety management system in step as rules change.
- Closing findings from inspections and audits, with the evidence to show it.
- Staying ready for flag, port state, class and vetting, all at once.
Every rule travels through a chain of handovers: from convention to national law, to procedure, to a decision someone makes mid-voyage or mid-inspection. Each handover needs clarity.
Building the connective layer
At Nautiqs we are building the infrastructure for that chain. One layer that connects what the rule says, what is happening on board and what is coming next.
Thank you to everyone at sea and ashore who turns policy into practice, and to the seafarers at the heart of it.
If you would like early access to Nautiqs, join the waitlist.