Whats New 2016
Goal-based standard audits under scrutiny at Maritime Safety Committee
The next stage in the implementation of goal-based standards for construction of oil tankers and bulk carriers is among the items on the agenda for the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), which opened for its 96th session today. The MSC (photos) will be invited to consider the goal-based standards verification audit reports of 12 members of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). Other important agenda items include the adoption of SOLAs amendments relating to evacuation analysis and the maintenance and testing of lifeboats and rescue boats – and the adoption of the 2016 amendments to the international Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. more...
Addressing anti-fouling systems
Flag State and port state roles in ratifying, implementing and enforcing the convention prohibiting the use of harmful anti-fouling systems on ships (AFS Convention) are on the agenda at a regional workshop being held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (10-11 May). The environmentally sound practices for the disposal of waste generated in applying and removing anti-fouling systems will also be presented and discussed. The workshop will seek to increase awareness of Government officials and other stakeholders on the benefits and implications of ratifying, implementing and enforcing the Convention. more...
Key IMO projects featured at International Waters Conference
Two important IMO projects are being featured this week
(9-13 May) at the 8th biennial International Waters Conference (IWC8) organized
by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Globallast and GloMEEP are both aimed
at building capacity in developing countries, where shipping is increasingly
concentrated. The Globallast Partnerships project helps such countries
reduce the risk of invasion by alien species carried in ships’ ballast water by
complying with and implementing the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention.
GloMEEP focuses on building capacity to implement technical and operational
energy-efficiency measures for ships. more...
IMO workshop in Jordan raises awareness of air pollution rules
A national workshop dealing with the international regulations
covering air pollution from ships is taking place in Aqaba, Jordan (9-11 May). The
IMO-run event is raising awareness of the regulations under MARPOL
Annex VI, which sets limits on SOx and NOx emissions from ship exhausts,
prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone-depleting substances and includes
mandatory technical and operational energy-efficiency measures to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from ships. more...
Working towards oceans beyond piracy
IMO’s work to address maritime piracy has been highlighted
at the launch of The Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) report on “The
State of Maritime Piracy 2015 – Assessing the Economic and Human Cost of
Piracy” in London, United Kingdom (3 May). In his opening address, IMO’s Chris
Trelawny set out the Organization’s various anti-piracy initiatives. These
include IMO’s GISIS
database of reports on acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships;
development of a comprehensive range of guidance on prevention, repression and
investigation of piracy and armed robbery, including guidance on the carriage
of armed security personnel; and successful regional initiatives. more...
IMO’s work highlighted at Asia-Pacific oil spill conference
IMO’s
work to help prevent pollution of the sea by ships has been highlighted at the 2016
Asia-Pacific Oil Spill Prevention & Preparedness Conference (Spillcon) in Perth, Australia. Stefan
Micallef, Director of the Marine Environment Division, took part in a session
on preventing maritime accidents (3 May). The conference brings together regional and global
environmental and shipping representatives to provide information on the latest
developments and innovations for dealing with oil spills in the marine
environment. Click here
to find out more about IMO’s work on pollution prevention and response. more...
Secretary-General visits seafarers, coast guards and lawyers during US mission
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim is in the United States this week for a series of meetings and engagements. Yesterday (3 May) he visited the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI), North America’s largest seaman’s welfare agency, where he met volunteers and learnt about the SCI’s pioneering effort to develop a new, practical form of headwear for seafarers (photos). SCI has encouraged volunteers all over the world to knit hats to the unique new design and donate them to seafarers via SCI. more...
Improving electronic messaging
IMO
is participating in a UN/CEFACT*
conference dealing with electronic
exchange of information related
to ship safety
and security regulations, at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
(25-29 April). Officials from regulatory agencies and affected transport and
logistics sectors heard Julian Abril, Head of Facilitation, share the decisions
adopted by IMO’s Facilitation Committee (FAL
40), which recently adopted the mandatory electronic data exchange for
international shipping under the revised Facilitation
Convention. more...