Extreme maritime weather events – those which are dangerous to any vessel at sea – threaten life, property and the marine environment and can adversely affect the global blue economy. Despite decades of investments in weather forecasting that have substantially improved predictability of such events, ships still transit into hazardous conditions, resulting in damage and, often, loss of cargo, personnel injuries or deaths, and environmental damage. Incidents of ships encountering extreme weather in recent years underscore the urgent need for action by the shipping and metocean communities.