Archive 2020
Maritime security risk assessment promoted in the Caribbean
Effective assessment of maritime security risks is important when developing maritime security policy and operational procedures. A regional maritime security risk assessment workshop in the Caribbean (27-28 February) brought together government maritime security officials from six countries in the eastern Caribbean to learn risk assessment methodology as part of the development of their own national maritime security strategies. more...
How can IMO's Initial GHG Strategy goals be achieved?
Meeting the ambitious goals in IMO's initial GHG strategy to cut emissions from ships will need a range of solutions, from engine design to port infrastructure to support the generation and storage of future fuels, such as renewable ammonia. These were among the future pathways discussed at an expert workshop held at the World Maritime University (WMU), in Malmö, Sweden (26-27 February), jointly organised with the OECD's International Transport Forum (ITF) and Nordic Energy Research. more...
Tackling invasive aquatic species in Sri Lanka
The introduction of invasive aquatic organisms into new marine environments not only affects biodiversity and ecosystem health, but also has measurable impacts on several economic sectors. That is why IMO's GloFouling Partnership project is tackling this problem, head on. Sri Lanka is the latest country to form a National Task Force to tackle the issue, following a special workshop (25-27 February). more...
Coronavirus disease 2019 – IMO urges no unnecessary delays to ships
Following
reports received regarding the impacts on the shipping industry of the
sudden and rapid outbreak of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), IMO has issued
a Circular
Letter advising Member States and others on implementation and enforcement
of relevant IMO Instruments. more...
IMO head affirms need for urgent action on emissions
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has spoken of the “urgent need” to develop concrete measures to support IMO’s initial strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. Delivering a keynote address at the European Shipping Week in Brussels (20 February), Mr Lim said that “ambitious regulatory targets – adopted by IMO and backed up by technical cooperation and capacity building activities – will act as the catalyst for technology, triggering research, development and innovation.” more...
How to manage maritime security risks – new workshop piloted in Indonesia
Maritime
security threats are not solved at sea. The majority need to be primarily
addressed ashore, with ports playing a key part in the solution. This is the
basis of a new national workshop on maritime security risk management being
piloted by IMO in Denpasar, Indonesia (17-21 February). It is designed
to help participants counter threats in the maritime domain, which include
terrorist attacks, piracy and armed robbery as well as challenges of increased
drug trafficking, smuggling of weapons, and migration. The solutions include
putting appropriate protocols in place to secure access control to the port and
the ships as part of security measures and risk assessments. more...
UN agencies collaborate to promote seafarers’ rights treaty
One of the
main aims of the 2006 Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) is to provide
comprehensive protection for seafarers’ rights. Although adopted by the
International Labour Organization (ILO), it touches on a wide range of areas
that are also of direct relevance to IMO, such as hours of work and rest, entitlement to
repatriation, abandonment of seafarers and safe manning. more...
Cooperating to counter maritime crime
IMO’s ongoing work to counter piracy/armed robbery against ships and other illicit activities at sea is underway at the Mohammed Bin Naif Academy for Maritime Science and Security Studies, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (9-27 February). Participants from 18 countries* are sharing best practices and learning skills to deal with maritime crimes at sea – including piracy/robbery, drug trafficking, marine terrorism, weapons smuggling, human trafficking and more. more...
Keeping the spotlight on empowering maritime women
Removing barriers to women joining the maritime sector, the
importance of education and how to increase visibility of women in maritime
leadership roles – these were some of the key challenges under the spotlight at
a major symposium at IMO Headquarters in London (19 February). The symposium was part of IMO’s continuing efforts to
maintain momentum in empowering women in the maritime community, and follow the
2019 IMO Assembly resolution to preserve the legacy of the 2019 World MaritimeTheme and work towards a barrier-free environment for women throughout the
maritime sector. more...