Whats New 2017
Focus on security drills and exercises
IMO is conducting an Advanced Drills and Exercises Workshop
for inspectors and officers responsible for port security in Trinidad and
Tobago. The training, underway in Port of Spain (14-17 March), is focusing on
the key IMO instrument for enhancing the security of ships and port facilities
– the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The Code’s
preventive security provisions include the objective of all actors being
thoroughly prepared for security incidents and terrorist attacks by
regularly conducting drills and exercises. more...
IMO helps African leaders seek collaboration in Malaysia
Twenty-one African
IMO Member States are taking part in the three day Malaysia Maritime
Leaders Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (15-17 March
2017), aimed at assisting the participating countries to build leadership
capabilities in the maritime sector. The forum is encouraging senior
officials of Maritime Administrations to find areas of common ground by
sharing ideas on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of
their administrations and addressing maritime challenges. The event is the
first of its kind in Malaysia and part of the Malaysian Integrated Technical
Cooperation Programme. more...
Liability treaties on the agenda
An IMO workshop in Egypt is supporting countries in the Arab region to implement and enforce treaties dealing with liability and compensation. The workshop, taking place in Alexandria (13-16 March), is providing a comprehensive overview of the IMO liability regime, including treaties covering wreck removal, salvage, carriage of hazardous and noxious substances, passengers, CLC, Fund and Bunkers Convention. more...
Capacity building for sustainable shipping
IMO’s response to the needs of developing countries for building capacity and facilitating technology transfer to promote low-carbon shipping was highlighted at the Environmental Sustainable Shipping Industry Conference (ESSIC), in Panama (14 March). IMO’s Jose Matheickal referred to the Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnerships Project (GloMEEP), funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), and the Global Maritime Technology Cooperation Centres (MTCC) Network (GMN) project, funded by the European Union (EU). more...
Arctic matters
The IMO Polar Code took centre stage at the Arctic Council in Juneau, Alaska, United States (8-9 March) where IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim delivered a speech on the importance of the Code. Secretary-General Lim highlighted the safety of seafarers and the environmental protection as key elements of the Code. more...
Caribbean centre launches on low-carbon shipping mission
A new centre tasked with promoting technologies and
operations to help navigate shipping into a low-carbon future has been launched
at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (8 March). The centre will cater to the needs of the Caribbean region under the Global Maritime
Technology Cooperation Centre Network (GMN) – a project funded by the European
Union (EU) and run by IMO. The
GMN initiative unites carefully selected technology centres into a global
network focused on supporting developing countries in activities including
development of national energy-efficiency policies for their maritime sectors. more...
Port security and facilitation training in Djibouti
IMO is conducting a national port security and facilitation workshop at the Djibouti Regional Training Centre (DRTC). The workshop (7-8 March) is highlighting IMO's maritime security and facilitation requirements and showcases the range of IMO and other training courses, guidance and tools available, including new port-focused training packages developed in line with the World Maritime Day theme, "Connecting ships, ports and people". more...
Myanmar study looks at port data exchange
A feasibility study looking into the possible expansion of the Northeast Asia Logistics Information Service Network (NEAL-NET) has been undertaken in Myanmar, as part of a project co-funded by IMO and China. A team of consultants in Myanmar (5-6 March) met a range of stakeholders in the region and made a site visit to the port of Yangon. The aim is to gain a better understanding of existing systems of port logistics information and to identify the port or ports where NEAL-NET could be implemented. more...
GMDSS modernization continues
The review and modernization of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety system (GMDSS) continues this week at the fourth session of the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (6-10 March). The meeting is expected to develop a draft modernization plan for the GMDSS and prepare amendments to SOLAS to accommodate additional, global or regional, mobile satellite systems. IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim opened the session, which is being chaired by Mr. Ringo Lakeman (the Netherlands). (Click for photos) more...