Whats New 2016
France ratifies wreck removal treaty
France has ratified the Nairobi International Convention on
the Removal of Wrecks. Adopted in 2007, this convention 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.
It also provides uniform international rules for the prompt and effective
removal of wrecks located beyond territorial seas. H.E. Nicole Taillefer, Permanent
Representative of France to IMO, met IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim and deposited
the instrument of ratification today (4 February).
Seminar looks towards sustainable ship recycling
Early ratification of the Hong Kong Ship Recycling Convention will enhance safe and environmentally sound ship recycling. This was a key message underlying a ship recycling seminar on “Towards sustainable ship recycling”, held in London (3 February). Representatives of Governments, the shipping and recycling industries and UN Agencies shared experiences and lessons learned on ship recycling during the seminar. more...
Advancing with e-navigation
E-navigation can offer enhanced
safety, better environmental protection, improved traffic management and
commercial benefits; and both the technological advances and the
advantages they can bring are continuing to evolve. That was the message
from IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim in his keynote speech to the
International E-Navigation Underway conference today (2 February).
Organized by IALA and the Danish Maritime Authority, the event was,
fittingly, held aboard a passenger ferry, at sea. more...
safety, better environmental protection, improved traffic management and
commercial benefits; and both the technological advances and the
advantages they can bring are continuing to evolve. That was the message
from IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim in his keynote speech to the
International E-Navigation Underway conference today (2 February).
Organized by IALA and the Danish Maritime Authority, the event was,
fittingly, held aboard a passenger ferry, at sea. more...
Fatigue guidelines under scrutiny
Draft revised and updated Guidelines on Fatigue to promote improved understanding of fatigue and fatigue risk management at sea are expected to be finalized by the third session of the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) which meets this week (1-5 February). The meeting was opened by IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim and is being chaired by Vice-Chairman Ms. Mayte Medina (United States). Photos here. more...
Germany accedes to treaties covering unlawful acts at sea
Germany has today (29 January) acceded to the 2005 SUA Protocols, which cover the criminalization of behaviour that threatens the safety of maritime navigation. The Protocols extend and strengthen the SUA Convention (and its related Protocol), which covers acts including the seizure of ships by force, acts of violence against persons on board ships, and the placing of devices on board a ship which are likely to destroy or damage it. H.E. Dr. Peter Ammon, Germany's Ambassador to the UK and Permanent Representative of Germany to IMO, met IMO Secretary-General Lim to hand over the instrument of accession.
Oil spill convention celebrates 20 years
A symposium marking the 20 year anniversary of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) is being held in Tokyo, Japan (28-29 January). Under the theme “Maintaining Future Effective Preparedness against Oil Spills”, industry experts are presenting the latest technologies available to fight major oil spills. IMO’s Stefan Micallef, Director of the Marine Environment Division, addressed the symposium via video message – reiterating the importance of maintaining an appropriate level of readiness against oil spills. more...
Assessing security needs in Nigeria
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is hosting a team of IMO maritime security specialists for a needs assessment mission (25-29 January) focusing on physical security and the implementation of IMO maritime security measures (SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code). more...
Supporting the World Maritime University
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim is undertaking his first official visit to the World Maritime University (WMU)
in Malmö, Sweden (26-27 January). Addressing students, Mr. Lim
emphasized the value of his own WMU education from 1989 to 1991 and
noted a sense of responsibility as the first WMU graduate to hold the
office of IMO Secretary-General. He also stated his intention to support
the important capacity-building mission of the University and to
promote its financial sustainability. Read the full WMU press briefing here.
in Malmö, Sweden (26-27 January). Addressing students, Mr. Lim
emphasized the value of his own WMU education from 1989 to 1991 and
noted a sense of responsibility as the first WMU graduate to hold the
office of IMO Secretary-General. He also stated his intention to support
the important capacity-building mission of the University and to
promote its financial sustainability. Read the full WMU press briefing here.
Women in port management
Eighteen high-level officials and decision-makers from around the world have completed a two-week training course in port management, aimed at female managers. The course at the Port Institute for Education and Research (IPER) in Le Havre, France (11 to 22 January) is run by IMO in collaboration with the Le Havre Port Authority on a regular basis as part of IMO’s global programme on the Integration of Women in the Maritime Sector. more...