Whats New 2016
Shipping takes centre stage
The official World Maritime Day Parallel Event has opened in Istanbul, Turkey (4-6 November) with keynote addresses from IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım. Mr Lim spoke on the World Maritime Day theme of Shipping: Indispensable to the World, emphasizing that almost everyone on the planet is dependent on shipping, but relatively few are aware of it. The event includes a two-day symposium looking at the challenges and opportunities facing shipping today followed by an opportunity for delegates to experience some of Turkey’s rich maritime culture.
Seychelles boosts development of its National Maritime Transport Policy
A three-day National Maritime Transport Policy (NMTP) workshop has concluded in Victoria, Seychelles (4 November). The event provided valuable knowledge and skills to those involved in the development, adoption and review of a NMTP in the country. more...
Winning for ship efficiency
IMO’s continuing efforts
to promote environmentally sound shipping have been recognized with the ‘Lloyd’s
Register Outstanding Contribution to Ship Efficiency' award, which celebrates
improvements made in energy efficiency in the maritime industry through training
and education. Technical Adviser Astrid Dispert received the award (2 November)
for work being done under the GEF-UNDP-IMO Global Maritime Energy Efficiency
Partnerships (GloMEEP) project to support developing countries to prevent air
pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from ships. more...
Shipping – key enabler for sustainable development
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has reiterated his strong belief that maritime activity can both drive and support a growing national and regional economy. Speaking at the opening of the Dubai Maritime Summit, Mr. Lim said that efforts to promote investment, growth and improvement in the maritime sectors are to be applauded and encouraged. He added that shipping and related maritime activities are essential components of future sustainable growth for the earth’s 7 billion-plus inhabitants and key enabling factors in many of the 17 global Sustainable Development Goals.
No more homework
The maritime leaders and experts of tomorrow have graduated from the World Maritime University (29 October). The class of 2016, boasting graduates from over 50 countries, has been equipped to contribute to safe, environmentally sound, energy efficient and secure shipping on clean oceans. The graduates will now return to their home countries to utilize the education and training they have received at the IMO-affiliated University and contribute to the effective implementation of IMO’s goals and objectives, as well the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Click for photos.
Supporting maritime security in east Asia
Improving maritime security through surveillance monitoring and
communication systems is on the agenda at an IMO seminar in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia (24-27 October). The event is supporting senior officials from ten
east-Asian coastal states, with a wide range of responsibilities surrounding
maritime surveillance monitoring and communications, coastal and port security
to gain a deeper understanding of practical measures in these fields. more...
Wreck removal convention ratified by Finland
Finland has become the 32nd State to ratify IMO’s Nairobi
International Convention
on the Removal of Wrecks. The treaty, which
entered into force in 2015, 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. more...
Port security training exercises underway in Argentina
An IMO workshop on advanced port security drills and
exercises is underway in Buenos Aires, Argentina (25-28 October). Participants
from national port facilities, recognized security organizations and various authority
officials are being trained to plan, conduct and evaluate security exercises,
so that IMO maritime security measures can be better implemented. more...
Secure ports for smoother trading
A port security training is underway in Mauritania (24-28 October) to further develop the country’s commercial activities. IMO together with the Maritime Authority in Mauritania are training government officials as well as all personnel involved in the effective implementation of the International Ship and Port FacilitySecurity Code (ISPS Code) to help them familiarize with its content. more...