Whats New 2017
Free-flowing maritime traffic in Montenegro
The key IMO
treaty supporting the free flow of international maritime traffic – the
Facilitation Convention – provides a set of consistent, uniform regulations
that cover the wide range of administrative tasks required of ships coming
into and leaving port. To support
this process in Montenegro, IMO is holding a seminar with the Ministry of
Transport and Maritime Affairs in Bar, Montenegro (14-16 November). Thirty-five
participants from various agencies with responsibilities for clearing ships,
cargo, crew and passengers in the country’s ports, and private stakeholders are
taking part. more...
Worldwide implementation of maritime search and rescue
International search and rescue plans are crucial, so that, no matter where an accident occurs, the rescue of persons in distress at sea can be coordinated successfully. Therefore, the worldwide implementation of IMO's International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR Convention 1979) is a key component in efforts to ensure the safety of international shipping. To further promote the ratification and appropriate implementation of the Convention, a seminar is being held in Bogota, Colombia, (14 to 16 November) to particularly promote the Convention in Central America and the Caribbean. This seminar also provides an opportunity for search and rescue authorities in Central America and the Caribbean to enhance their understanding of regional SAR issues and to learn about new technologies available. more...
2020 sulphur limit - no exceptions
Consistent implementation is the only option when it comes to the 0.50% limit on sulphur in fuel oil, which comes into force in 2020. Speaking at a conference for the refining and petrochemical industry in Athens, Greece (13-15 November), IMO’s Edmund Hughes reminded participants that the 2020 global sulphur limit will enter into force on 1 January 2020, without any delay. How to ensure consistent implementation will be the subject of important discussions at the next session of IMO’S Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 5). more...
IMO activities showcased at Bonn climate talks
IMO has continued its participation at the Bonn climate change talks (COP 23) in a range of side-and special events, following its report on progress to the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technical Advice (SBSTA 47). These included presentation of the GMN maritime technology project, run by IMO and funded by the European Union, and updates on IMO's work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships given at the UN Oceans Side Event. more...
Protecting Mauritania’s marine park
A particularly sensitive sea area (PSSA) is an area of special ecological, socio-economic or scientific importance which may be vulnerable to international shipping. To date, IMO has designated 17 areas which benefit from the scheme and are protected. IMO Member Governments can submit applications for the designation of PSSAs at any time. Representatives from IMO, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Marine Program and the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) met with national stakeholders in Nouakchott, Mauritania (6-8 November) to discuss options to possibly designate the area around the Banc d'Arguin National Park as a PSSA. more...
New audit team leaders trained
The auditing of IMO Member States to assess how effectively they
administer key IMO instruments is an important part of the Organization’s work
to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is universally
adopted and implemented. To support this process, new audit team leaders are being
trained under IMO’s Member State Audit
Scheme (IMSAS) at a course being held at IMO Headquarters, London (6-10
November). The course involves thirteen auditors* who have been part of audit
teams under the Scheme in 2016 and 2017 and are now ready to act as audit team
leaders in future audits. more...
Preventing stowaways
Enhanced port security can help the in the facilitation of international maritime traffic and the prevention of stowaways. A national workshop in Freetown, Sierra Leone (6-10 November) is one of a series assisting ports with the highest number of stowaway incidents to address these issues. more...
Women in maritime Asia strengthen their network
A regional conference on women in the maritime sector is taking place in Dili, Timor Leste (6-9 November) under the theme: Transitioning from Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals. The event is gathering members of the Women in Maritime Associations for Asia (WIMAs), from 22 Asian countries. The associations aim to deliver the IMO's Programme on the Integration of Women in the Maritime Sector (IWMS), giving visibility and recognition to the role women play as key resources for the maritime sector. The conference is looking at ways to implementation the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. more...
