Whats New 2016
Somalia stakeholders forum reviews maritime code
The revised Somalia Maritime Code is being finalized at a four-day Stakeholders Forum, sponsored by IMO (Kigali, Rwanda 12-15 July). The workshop is part of IMO’s ongoing technical assistance to the Federal Government of Somalia and regional authorities in establishing a Maritime Administration for Somalia capable of undertaking flag, port and coastal states duties in line with IMO instruments. The revised Code reflects developments in international maritime law and best practices and as such provides the necessary legal backing for the effective functioning of the Somalia National Maritime Administration. more...
Promoting facilitation in Fiji
A National Seminar on Facilitation of Maritime Traffic is being held in Suva, Fiji (13-15 July), to assist Fiji to more effectively implement the Convention of Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) and to advise on the recently-adopted amendments to its Annex. The seminar has been organized by IMO and the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji, and is being attended by 26 participants from ministries with responsibilities in the clearance of ships, cargo, crew and passengers at ports of Fiji, and private stakeholders. IMO is represented by Julian Abril. more...
GEF-UNDP-IMO GloBallast Partnerships listed for global award
IMO’s GloBallast programme has been selected as a finalist in the environment category of a major global award. The GEF-UNDP-IMO GloBallast Partnerships Programme has been working (2008-2016) to build capacity to address the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens between marine ecosystems through ships’ ballast water and sediments, one of the greatest threats to the world’s coastal and marine environments. The final winners of the prestigious Lloyd's List Global Awards will be announced in November 2016. more...
Eurasia transport and logistics meeting
The role of shipping and ports as part of an integrated transport system was on the agenda at the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Eurasia Expert Group Meeting on Transport and Logistics in Seoul, Republic of Korea (11-13 July). During the session on facilitation, IMO’s Chris Trelawny outlined IMO’s long term strategy, which is focussed on helping Member States to create conditions for increased employment, prosperity and stability through promoting trade by sea, enhancing the port and maritime sector as wealth creators, and developing a sustainable blue economy, underpinned by good maritime security. more...
Myanmar accedes to CLC Protocol
Myanmar has deposited its instrument of accession to the 1992 Protocol to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC). The efforts to bring the legislation into national law followed the participation of Myanmar at a five-day workshop hosted by IMO in November 2015, during which Government officials from Myanmar gained insight into IMO treaties on liability and compensation and the benefits, rights and obligations of Parties to these conventions. more...
Germany accedes to treaty covering fishing vessel safety
IMO’s work to enhance fishing vessel safety received a boost
today when Germany became the sixth State to accede to the 2012 Cape
Town Agreement. The Agreement involves a basic set of safety measures for
larger high seas fishing vessels, covering issues
such as stability, construction and protection of crews and will
enter into force 12 months after 22 States express their consent to be bound by it.
These States must have a minimum of 3,600 fishing vessels of at least 24 meters in length operating on the high
seas. more...
Council meeting
The IMO Council is meeting for its 116th session (4-8 July), chaired by Mr Jeffrey G. Lantz (United States). The 40-Member Council is expected to review the work of the Organization since its last session and consider strategy and policy matters. The Council will also select the World Maritime Day theme for 2017 and choose the recipients of two IMO awards: the 2016 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea and the 2015 International Maritime Prize. (click for photos)
Supporting sustainable maritime security in Jamaica
A table-top exercise on maritime security has been held in Kingston, Jamaica (30 June-1 July), organized by IMO in collaboration with the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC). The exercise was aimed at stimulating discussions and demonstrating the need for cooperation amongst government departments and agencies using a range of evolving scenarios related to maritime security and maritime law enforcement issues. more...
Global celebration of Day of the Seafarer
Millions of people around the world celebrated the Day of the Seafarer on 25 June, under the campaign theme, #AtSeaForAll. Across social media, the message that seafarers are indispensable to the world gained momentum in 165 countries across all the continents. A Twitter Thunderclap reached nearly 13 million people. IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim celebrated the day at a special Day of the Seafarer event in Manila, Philippines (see photos here). Mr Lim hailed the seafarers who are the “beating heart” of the shipping world and who quietly, mostly unnoticed, keep the wheels of the world in motion. more...