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UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) have released a revised Rescue Guide, a tool to help all partners uphold the humanitarian and legal duties to rescue refugees and migrants in distress at sea and bring them to safety.

The revised edition of Rescue at Sea: A guide to principles and practice in the context of refugee and migrant movements. [Download in six languages here] comes as tragic shipwrecks continue to highlight the urgent need for stronger collective action to prevent further loss of life among people fleeing danger or seeking better prospects.

The Guide was launched during an event held at IMO Headquarters in London, United Kingdom (19 May) (Photos | Watch the event again).

In the year marking the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the revised Guide underlines the continued relevance and life-saving impact of practical protection action, covering rescuing people in distress at sea, including refugees and migrants, and ensuring safe disembarkation in line with international law. The seas must be treated as a humanitarian space, and the duty to rescue people in distress at sea must be upheld without discrimination, the partners agreed.

“There is an ongoinghuman tragedy of lives lost at sea during unsafe, dangerous journeys.. We must recognize the tireless efforts of coast guards, navies, search and rescue agencies, and merchant vessels in rescuing individuals in distress at sea – preventing an even higher death toll. Established legal obligations must be translated into concrete action at sea. This revised Guide ensures clarity for Governments and provides practical steps for shipmasters and crews,” said Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General, IMO.  

FULL PRESS RELEASE VIA LINK IN BIO

The World Maritime University (WMU) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have released a new Handbook on Gender Mainstreaming in the Maritime Sector, calling for action to address persistent gender inequality across the global maritime industry.

The handbook, authored by WMU Professor Momoko Kitada, was launched on the International Day for Women in Maritime on 18 May. Professor Kitada is also the recipient of the 2026 IMO Gender Equality Award.

The publication is the first of its kind, aimed at closing the gender gap in the maritime sector, where women account for just 1% of the world’s seafaring workforce and hold only 19% of ministerial roles responsible for maritime affairs.

A practical tool

The handbook provides practical guidance for maritime administrations, shipping companies, ports, shipyards and maritime education institutions on how to integrate gender considerations into policies, recruitment, training, workplace safety and leadership development.

It includes tools tailored to maritime organizations for gender analysis, the development of gender equality action plans, and monitoring and evaluation.

Presenting the handbook, Professor Kitada emphasized that gender mainstreaming is an effective strategy, process and methodology which works for everyone’s benefit:

“Gender mainstreaming requires leadership to implement. No matter our role or level in an organization, we can exercise gender mainstreaming in both large and small capacities.”

FULL PRESS RELEASE VIA LINK IN BIO

Yesterday at IMO Headquarters, we marked the International Day for #WomenInMaritime by celebrating the incredible women shaping the future of the maritime industry. 🌊⚓️

Japanese maritime academic and former seafarer Professor Momoko Kitada has been awarded the International Maritime Organization’s Gender Equality Award 2026.

The award was presented by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez during a ceremony held at IMO Headquarters in London (18 May) to mark International Day for Women in Maritime.

The recipient of the Gender Equality Award is selected each year by a high-level panel and endorsed by the IMO Council, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women in the maritime sector.

The IMO Council at its 135th session endorsed Professor Kitada’s award, in recognition of her work to promote diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities in maritime education and professional development.

Receiving her award, Professor Kitada recounted her experiences growing up, becoming a seafarer and then pursuing an academic career:

“My working class mother always recognized indispensable link with education and economic stability - particularly important for women and girls. She pushed me to study hard and be economically independent. Standing here today, I reiterate this encouragement, and encourage all women and girls to invest in education for their personal and professional futures.”

She underscored the importance of knowledge and a “true understanding” of gender quality based on active reading, listening and discourse.

Pathways for young maritime professionals

Professor Momoko Kitada, who was nominated for the award by Japan, is a former seafarer and holds a PhD in Social Science from Cardiff University, United Kingdom. She joined the World Maritime University in 2011 and serves as Academic Dean, Full Professor and Head of Maritime Education and Training (MET). She coordinates and teaches in other MSc specializations, including Maritime Energy Management (MEM), as well as the Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Energy and the Summer Academy on Maritime Decarbonization.

LINK IN BIO for full press release.

#womenininmaritimeday

Japanese maritime academic and former seafarer Professor Momoko Kitada has been awarded the International Maritime Organization’s Gender Equality Award 2026.

The award was presented by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez during a ceremony held at IMO Headquarters in London (18 May) to mark International Day for Women in Maritime.

The recipient of the Gender Equality Award is selected each year by a high-level panel and endorsed by the IMO Council, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women in the maritime sector.

The IMO Council at its 135th session endorsed Professor Kitada’s award, in recognition of her work to promote diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities in maritime education and professional development.

Receiving her award, Professor Kitada recounted her experiences growing up, becoming a seafarer and then pursuing an academic career:

“My working class mother always recognized indispensable link with education and economic stability - particularly important for women and girls. She pushed me to study hard and be economically independent. Standing here today, I reiterate this encouragement, and encourage all women and girls to invest in education for their personal and professional futures.”

She underscored the importance of knowledge and a “true understanding” of gender quality based on active reading, listening and discourse.

Pathways for young maritime professionals

Professor Momoko Kitada, who was nominated for the award by Japan, is a former seafarer and holds a PhD in Social Science from Cardiff University, United Kingdom. She joined the World Maritime University in 2011 and serves as Academic Dean, Full Professor and Head of Maritime Education and Training (MET). She coordinates and teaches in other MSc specializations, including Maritime Energy Management (MEM), as well as the Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Energy and the Summer Academy on Maritime Decarbonization.

LINK IN BIO for full press release.

#womenininmaritimeday

Japanese maritime academic and former seafarer Professor Momoko Kitada has been awarded the International Maritime Organization’s Gender Equality Award 2026.

The award was presented by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez during a ceremony held at IMO Headquarters in London (18 May) to mark International Day for Women in Maritime.

The recipient of the Gender Equality Award is selected each year by a high-level panel and endorsed by the IMO Council, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women in the maritime sector.

The IMO Council at its 135th session endorsed Professor Kitada’s award, in recognition of her work to promote diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities in maritime education and professional development.

Receiving her award, Professor Kitada recounted her experiences growing up, becoming a seafarer and then pursuing an academic career:

“My working class mother always recognized indispensable link with education and economic stability - particularly important for women and girls. She pushed me to study hard and be economically independent. Standing here today, I reiterate this encouragement, and encourage all women and girls to invest in education for their personal and professional futures.”

She underscored the importance of knowledge and a “true understanding” of gender quality based on active reading, listening and discourse.

Pathways for young maritime professionals

Professor Momoko Kitada, who was nominated for the award by Japan, is a former seafarer and holds a PhD in Social Science from Cardiff University, United Kingdom. She joined the World Maritime University in 2011 and serves as Academic Dean, Full Professor and Head of Maritime Education and Training (MET). She coordinates and teaches in other MSc specializations, including Maritime Energy Management (MEM), as well as the Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Energy and the Summer Academy on Maritime Decarbonization.

LINK IN BIO for full press release.

#womenininmaritimeday

Japanese maritime academic and former seafarer Professor Momoko Kitada has been awarded the International Maritime Organization’s Gender Equality Award 2026.

The award was presented by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez during a ceremony held at IMO Headquarters in London (18 May) to mark International Day for Women in Maritime.

The recipient of the Gender Equality Award is selected each year by a high-level panel and endorsed by the IMO Council, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women in the maritime sector.

The IMO Council at its 135th session endorsed Professor Kitada’s award, in recognition of her work to promote diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities in maritime education and professional development.

Receiving her award, Professor Kitada recounted her experiences growing up, becoming a seafarer and then pursuing an academic career:

“My working class mother always recognized indispensable link with education and economic stability - particularly important for women and girls. She pushed me to study hard and be economically independent. Standing here today, I reiterate this encouragement, and encourage all women and girls to invest in education for their personal and professional futures.”

She underscored the importance of knowledge and a “true understanding” of gender quality based on active reading, listening and discourse.

Pathways for young maritime professionals

Professor Momoko Kitada, who was nominated for the award by Japan, is a former seafarer and holds a PhD in Social Science from Cardiff University, United Kingdom. She joined the World Maritime University in 2011 and serves as Academic Dean, Full Professor and Head of Maritime Education and Training (MET). She coordinates and teaches in other MSc specializations, including Maritime Energy Management (MEM), as well as the Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Energy and the Summer Academy on Maritime Decarbonization.

LINK IN BIO for full press release.

#womenininmaritimeday

Opening of the International Day for Women in Maritime. #WomenInMaritimeDay

Opening of the International Day for Women in Maritime. #WomenInMaritimeDay

Celebrating the rock star women of Helix today and every day. ⚓️💙

Some have been sailing with us for over 10 years, sharing their kindness, strength, and helping shape the heart of our crew both on and off the water.

Happy International Maritime Women’s Day! 🌊

#womeninmaritime #teamhelix #j120boat #sailboat
#internationalmaritimeorganization

From all of us at the Warsash Women’s Group, Happy International Women in Maritime Day! Here’s to the women breaking barriers on and off the water 💙⚓️

El 18 de mayo de cada año se celebra el Día Internacional de la Mujer en el Sector Marítimo.

Desde la Red de Mujeres de Autoridades Marítimas de Latinoamérica, Red MAMLa, con las Miembros distribuidas en los 19 Estados Miembros, trabajamos de forma incansable para colaborar en la construcción de un sector marítimo más justo y equitativo.

¡Feliz Día Internacional de la Mujer Marítima!

@imo_hq @redmamla @mariana_noceti
@santos.polancomagdalena

#RedMAMLa #WIMAS #WomenInMaritime #OrgullosamenteMAMLa #Latinoamerica

The Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) concluded its 84th session with a commitment to rebuild consensus on global shipping emissions, while sounding the alarm over environmental risks in the Strait of Hormuz and adopting new measures to curb air pollution in the Northeast Atlantic.

Closing the meeting, held from 27 April to 1 May 2026 in London, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said: “We are back on track, but we have to rebuild trust. I encourage you to maintain this momentum through your intersessional work and to prepare submissions that can bring the membership together.”

The Committee will resume the Second Extraordinary Session on Friday 4 December 2026, subject to confirmation by the 85th session scheduled to convene 30 November to 3 December.

IMO Net Zero Framework

Nearly 100 delegations took the floor this week to voice their views on the adoption of “mid-term measures” to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships - known as the IMO Net-Zero Framework - with multiple proposals tabled on how to take forward negotiations.

The Committee agreed to establish an intersessional Working Group to resolve various concerns and drive broader convergence on a global measure ahead of MEPC 85 in six months. Member States will be able to submit new amendments and adjustments to the draft amendments previously approved.

Two inter-sessional meetings will be scheduled (1 to 4 September and 23 to 27 November) ahead of MEPC 85 (30 November to 3 December), as well as a one-day expert workshop on “chain of custody” models, which track fuel origin and movement of fuels across the supply chain, ensuring emissions are properly traced and verified. The second extraordinary session of MEPC it scheduled to resume on 4 December, subject to discussions at MEPC 85.

Full story via link in bio.

#marineenvironment

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has called on all Member States to support efforts to address the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, where around 20,000 seafarers remain trapped and unable to leave.

In an informal briefing to Member States and industry representatives, Secretary-General Dominguez confirmed that several vessels had been seized and detained in the region over the past few days.  

He urged maximum caution, considering potential mines present throughout the Strait and threat of further attacks on ships. 

“My call is to release the seafarers because they are not at fault,” he said. “The situation is not improving. I reiterate: there is no safe transit anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz.” 

He highlighted that 29 attacks on vessels in the Persian Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz had been verified by IMO since the beginning of the conflict, resulting in the death of at least 10 seafarers and damage to the vessels. Around 20,000 seafarers on around 1,600 vessels remain in the Gulf. 

Seafarers’ welfare 

With the conflict now in its eighth week, Secretary-General Dominguez warned that supplies on ships stuck in the Persian Gulf - including water, food and fuel - will start running short. He appreciated the ongoing support from countries in the region in providing essential supplies and provisions.  

Secretary-General Dominguez urged all flag States, NGOs, industry bodies and the States of nationality of the seafarers to offer any assistance, including through remote support, helplines and keeping families informed. He also highlighted the importance of fair treatment of seafarers in terms of welfare and payment of wages.  

“I spoke to a seafarer who had been trapped in the Persian Gulf for more than six weeks. Aside from the exhaustion and toll on mental health of the crews, they feel invisible, that they are not valued. There is much more we need to do,” he told delegates. 

Full press release via link in bio.

#straitofhormuz #seafarers #seafarerwelfare

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez recently spoke with a #seafarer stranded in the #StraitofHormuz. His account of the stress and uncertainty he faced was deeply moving. Secretary-General Dominguez assured him he will redouble his efforts at IMO to support seafarers everywhere.