Whats New 2015
Supporting counter-terrorism in Tunisia
The UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate UNCTED is conducting a visit (25-26 March) to Tunisia to assess progress on countermeasures put in place by the Government to prevent and manage security incidents since the committee’s last visit in 2010. IMO is represented by Henrik Madsen as part of the delegation of UN and partner agencies with mandates in border management and law enforcement. Click to read more.
Secretary-General promotes Maritime Ambassador scheme in Guatemala
IMO Secretary-General Sekimizu on Tuesday (24 March) continued his central America tour with a visit to Guatemala, where he met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Carlos Raúl Morales Moscoso (pictured). Mr. Sekimizu also spoke to foreign policy university students, and outlined the IMO Maritime Ambassador scheme. (click to read more)
Addressing maritime traffic
IMO has delivered a regional seminar in Bahrain on the benefits of the IMO Facilitation (FAL) Convention, which deals with the various clearance procedures required when ships enter or leave ports. Designed to encourage more states to ratify the Convention, the seminar focused on the practical use of electronic data exchange between ships and shore, using the so-called “single-window” concept. IMO’s Alper Keceli led the event, which was attended by representatives from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, UAE and Bahrain (23-25 March).
Changing landscape of spill preparedness and response
Current issues and challenges in oil spill response will set the context at the Interspill 2015 conference in Amsterdam (24-26 March). IMO is taking part in many discussions on the changing landscape of spill preparedness and response and its impact on shipping activities. IMO is also speaking at a seminar to share its positive experience in working together with industry to improve international oil spill preparedness. In addition, a stand manned by the IMO publishing team also features at the Conference where participants can learn more about the latest titles and digital products. (watch video on this topic)
Learning about salvage, wrecks and HNS cargos
IMO’s Jan De Boer has delivered a presentation on the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks at the Interspill 2015 conference in Amsterdam (23 March). The presentation formed part of a short course on Salvage, Wrecks and Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS), which examined the issues surrounding casualty response from a salvor’s viewpoint and addressed the challenge of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) cargos. In particular, cost recovery under international legislation relevant to salvage, wreck removal and HNS was considered.
El Salvador signs technical cooperation agreement with IMO
A new agreement on supporting El Salvador to implement IMO treaties was signed in San Salvador on Monday (23 March). IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador, Hugo Martinez, signed the Letter of Understanding on technical cooperation between the Government of El Salvador and IMO, which outlines the intention of IMO to assist El Salvador in implementing IMO conventions, including the MARPOL, OPRC and STCW treaties. (click to read more)
Life-boat servicing and smoke control on Sub-Committee agenda
IMO Assistant Secretary-General Andy Winbow opened the second session of the Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) (23-27 March) which is being chaired by Dr. Susumu Ota (Japan). The agenda includes requirements for servicing and maintenance of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear; testing of auto sprinkler systems; requirements for smoke management systems; and measures for onboard lifting appliances and winches. (Click for photos)
Benefits of London Protocol promoted in Tanzania
The implications and benefits of acceding to the 1996 “London Protocol” to the 1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter are being discussed at an IMO-led national workshop in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania (23-24 March), hosted by the Tanzania Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA). (click to read more)
UN Oceans at IMO
Experts from UN agencies and the International Seabed Authority are gathering at IMO headquarters today for a meeting of UN Oceans, the international mechanism for cooperation on a wide range of ocean issues. Speaking at the opening of the meeting, IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu spoke of the importance of adopting a collaborative approach to cross-cutting issues and delivering as one.