Whats New 2015
Dumping of wastes at sea - regular meeting opens
Parties to the treaties which regulate the dumping of wastes at sea are meeting at IMO (12-16 October). The meeting is expected to agree updated guidelines for the application of the de minimis (exempt) concept when it comes to radioactive wastes, to include recognition of effects of radiation on marine fauna and flora. The meeting (click for photos) will also review ongoing work in relation to mine tailings, marine geoengineering, development of a strategic plan to encourage ratification of the London Protocol and the 25-year scientific review of radioactive wastes. more...
Building capacity in Côte d'Ivoire
A two-day national workshop on maritime legislation review, flag State implementation and port State control is being held in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, (8-9 October) following a three-day needs assessment exercise, under the IMO/ACP/EU FlagPort WACAF Project. The workshop and the needs assessment exercise are aimed at building human and institutional capacities in the maritime sector and assisting Cote d'Ivoire to prepare for the IMO Member State Audit Scheme, which becomes mandatory from January 2016. more...
Black Sea support
The Commission for the Protection of the Black Sea against Pollution, which is an IMO observer and implementing partner for capacity-building activities in the Black Sea, held its 31st Regular Meeting of Commissioners in Istanbul, Turkey (8 October). The longstanding collaboration between IMO and the Black Sea Commission has encompassed a wide array of workshops and training courses, at both national and regional levels, to develop capacity for the implementation of various IMO instruments aimed at protecting the marine environment from any adverse effects of shipping. more...
Viet Nam hosts ballast consultation
An industry consultation seminar to discuss the implications of ratification and implementation of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments has been held in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam (8 October), hosted by the Viet Nam Maritime Administration (VINAMARINE). The seminar was organized by VINAMARINE under the framework of the IMO-Norad Project to assist east Asian countries to ratify and implement IMO’s environmental conventions. IMO’s Jose Matheickal delivered two technical lectures during the seminar. more...
North America marks the day
World Maritime Day continues to be celebrated around the world, with events highlighting the 2015 theme: “Maritime Education and Training”. This week (5-7 October), the North American World Maritime Day conference was
held at the State University of New York Maritime College. Individual
speakers, plenary sessions, and a series of workshops addressed three
separate interest groups: educators, industry and administrators. IMO’s
Fred Kenney gave a keynote address and participated in panel discussions
on topics related to the theme.
held at the State University of New York Maritime College. Individual
speakers, plenary sessions, and a series of workshops addressed three
separate interest groups: educators, industry and administrators. IMO’s
Fred Kenney gave a keynote address and participated in panel discussions
on topics related to the theme.
The Netherlands visits
The new Ambassador of the Netherlands to the United Kingdom, H.E. Mr. Simon J.H. Smits, has been appointed the Netherlands’ Permanent Representative to IMO. Mr. Smits presented his credentials to IMO Secretary-General Sekimizu at IMO Headquarters today (8 October). The Netherlands is one of the longest standing Members of IMO, having joined the organization in 1949.
Caribbean oil spill response exercise
Observers from Martinique’s neighbouring island States and Territories have been supported via IMO’s technical cooperation programme to participate in an exercise on oil pollution preparedness, response and cooperation, conducted by the Martinique Prefecture in Fort de France, Martinique, France (6-8 October). The observers from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago were able to participate in the practical exercises and demonstration of the response equipment. more...
Safety and sustainability in Straits of Malacca and Singapore
Littoral States and stakeholders of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS), one of the busiest waterways used for international shipping, have been meeting in Singapore for the 8th Co-operation Forum (5-6 October) to discuss the application of technology in navigational safety and sustainable port and shipping initiatives. IMO’s Ashok Mahapatra is participating in the Forum and attending related meetings (7-9 October). more...
Indonesia updated on ballast water management
The processes for ratification and implementation of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) were discussed during a national seminar held in Indonesia (5-6 October). Information on the convention, management options and the latest developments in BWM research and development were outlined during the seminar, which was facilitated jointly by IMO and the Directorate General of Sea Transportation (DGST) of the Ministry of Transportation of Indonesia. more...