Abstract

Maritime-based development has emerged as a critical pathway for achieving sustainable economic growth, particularly for coastal states whose industries depend on safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible maritime operations. Despite its strategic maritime position, Iran faces significant challenges in aligning its maritime sector with international standards. This study examines the role of technical, legal, and operational standards in shaping maritime-based development, with a focus on identifying structural barriers within Iran’s maritime industry. Employing a comparative qualitative methodology, the research analyzes international benchmarks—including key IMO conventions such as SOLAS, MARPOL, and STCW—and compares them with Iran’s existing regulatory framework, institutional capacities, and enforcement practices.

The findings reveal several critical gaps, including outdated regulatory instruments, weak and fragmented inspection mechanisms, insufficient adherence to IMO-mandated safety and environmental standards, and limited integration of global best practices in maritime education and training. Additionally, the study identifies institutional overlap and lack of inter-agency coordination as major obstacles to effective implementation.The research concludes that Iran can significantly enhance its maritime competitiveness by updating national regulations, strengthening port and vessel inspection systems, adopting a unified maritime governance structure, and fully harmonizing its educational programs with STCW requirements. These reforms are essential for enabling Iran to transition toward a modern, safe, and globally competitive maritime economy, thereby leveraging its maritime geography for sustainable national development.