Oceans constitute the planet’s most productive yet most underutilized ecosystems. Despite global progress in blue economy frameworks, developing maritime nations—particularly Iran—face institutional fragmentation, poor data interoperability, and limited capacity for digital transformation. This study develops the Blue Data Governance Framework for Maritime Progress (BDGF-MP), integrating the principles of Blue Economy, Data Governance, and Adaptive Governance into a unified model of sustainable ocean management. Drawing upon cross-national comparisons, documentary analysis, and expert interviews, the research explores how digital infrastructures, artificial intelligence (AI), and institutional reforms can transform Iran’s maritime governance. The framework proposes four interacting layers—Data Infrastructure, Analytics & AI, Decision-Support Systems, and Governance Coordination—linked by an adaptive feedback loop measured through a Maritime Progress Index (MPI). Empirical findings demonstrate that Iran’s fragmented data systems inhibit coordination but reveal latent readiness through emerging smart-port and pollution-monitoring initiatives. Theoretically, the paper extends data-governance theory to the ocean domain; practically, it outlines a roadmap for Iran’s transition toward a data-driven Blue Economy.