Whats New 2016
New course for energy-efficient ship operation
Maritime educators in China are the first to undergo a newly developed course designed to assist maritime training institutes to introduce the topic of energy-efficient ship operation into their teaching curriculums. More than 30 participants from maritime universities, shipping colleges and institutes from across China are attending the workshop, taking place in Hangzhou (8-9 December). more...
Understanding wreck removal
A meeting of salvage and wreck professionals in
London, United Kingdom has been introduced to IMO’s Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention.
The treaty provides the legal basis for States to remove, or have
removed, shipwrecks that may threaten the safety of lives, goods and property
at sea, as well as the marine environment. IMO’s Jan De Boer outlined the Convention’s
key provisions in a session on “Operating within guidelines, conventions and
authorities’ requirements” at the 19th Salvage & Wreck Removal Conference (7-9
December). more...
Combating marine litter
The effective implementation of IMO garbage regulations (MARPOL Annex V) on ships and in port reception facilities was the main focus of an IMO regional workshop on marine litter for the East Asian seas region, held in Jeju, Republic of Korea (5-8 December). Participants shared experiences of implementing marine litter requirements. Site visits included the waste oil disposal facility and clean-up vessel operated by the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM), which hosted the workshop. more...
IMO and ship survey body to strengthen cooperation
IMO has signed a unique agreement to strengthen cooperation with the technical body whose members undertake ship survey and certification duties on behalf of IMO Member States. The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) represents so-called Recognised Organizations (ROs) at IMO. Survey and certification is vital to the effective implementation of IMO measures and ROs must comply with a mandatory code developed by IMO in order to undertake this important technical work for the Member States. Under the terms of the agreement (signed on 7 December), IMO and IACS will exchange technical information on a regular basis and strengthen existing lines of dialogue between the two organizations.
Cabo Verde’s regional maritime security role discussed
A recent visit to Cabo Verde (30 November-6 December) by IMO provided an opportunity to meet various Government agencies involved with maritime security and discuss the country’s future role in regional maritime security activities. IMO’s Gisela Vieira held meetings with a number of Cabo Verde government agencies, including the Maritime Authority, Agencia Maritima Portuaria (AMP), which hosted the visit; the Coast Guard, Fisheries, Borders Police and Ministry of Justice. more...
Guinea workshop plays through maritime security measures
Piracy, armed robbery and border security scenarios are
being played out in a table top exercise for officials in Conakry, Guinea (6-8
December). The IMO-led event is the latest in a long series of exercises held
in the West Africa region to promote security measures in IMO treaties,
particularly the SOLAS
chapter XI-2 and ISPS Code. Further scenarios include threats to cruise
ships, incidents potentially involving weapons of mass destruction, drugs,
environmental threats such as oil spills, and maritime safety inspections. more...
Best practices in marine projects shared
IMO was among the participants at the eighteenth international meeting on Large Marine Ecosystems, where project leaders discussed and shared best practices related to capacity-building programmes covering marine ecosystems, coastal management, biodiversity and coastal climate change adaptation (6-8 December). The 18th Annual Large Marine Ecosystems Meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the contribution of GEF-funded and other marine projects to implement of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, particularly SDG 14 related to the oceans, ahead of the forthcoming UN Conference (June 2017) to support the implementation of SDG 14. more...
Preventing maritime traffic delays
Facilitation of maritime traffic
is on the agenda at a national seminar being held in Manila, the Philippines
(6-8 December), with thirty participants from ministries responsible for
clearing ships, cargo, crew and passengers at ports of the Philippines, and
private stakeholders. The workshop is assisting the Philippines with the
ratification process of IMO’s Convention on Facilitation of International
Maritime Traffic (FAL), which is designed to help prevent unnecessary delays in
maritime traffic. more...
Latest IMO Member State accedes to further treaties
Belarus has acceded to three IMO treaties covering a variety
of ship safety measures. The instruments include conventions on load lines and facilitation
of maritime traffic. Ambassador of Belarus to the United Kingdom, H.E. Mr. Sergei
Aleinik, met IMO Secretary-General at IMO Headquarters in London (5 December)
to deposit the instruments of accession. The visit comes one week after the
Organization welcomed Belarus as its latest and 172nd Member State. more...