Archive 2020
Protecting Egypt’s seas from marine litter
Provision of adequate reception facilities is key to supporting implementation of garbage regulations contained in Annex V of the International convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). Egypt is the latest country to benefit from a national training workshop (17-19 November) on implementation and enforcement of MARPOL Annex V (prevention of pollution by garbage from ships), which prohibits disposal of plastics and restricts disposal of other ship-generated solid wastes at sea.
Newly certified quality management system for Member State Audit Scheme
The IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) is key to promoting consistent and effective implementation of IMO instruments – assisting countries to improve their capabilities as flag, coastal and port States. To further this process, audits and follow-up audits of Member States are being organized and implemented through a quality management system, which has now been certified by an independent external accredited certification body.
IMO and UNEP to host 2021 Maritime Zero-Low Carbon Innovation Forum
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will jointly organize, with financial support from Norway, a Maritime Zero- and Low-Emission Innovation Forum September 2021. The aim is to bring together interested stakeholders to showcase the latest developments in research and development which support decarbonization of the maritime sector, in line with the IMO initial GHG Strategy.
Vaccine hope but multiple solutions needed to resolve crew change crisis
The availability of COVID-19 vaccines and rapid, standardised testing for the virus could be crucial in helping to resolve the ongoing crew change crisis. However, a meeting of a cross section of UN agencies, shipping organizations, unions and maritime and logistics businesses, agreed that the focus needs to be on developing a range of practical solutions. Some 400,000 seafarers are stuck at sea, months beyond their contracted time, with increasing reports of severe fatigue and mental distress.
IMO Committee holds key discussions on GHG reduction measures
Crucial measures to further reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships will be discussed by IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), which is meeting virtually this week (16-20 November). Firstly, the MEPC is expected to adopt amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) to significantly strengthen the “phase 3” requirements of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) – meaning that new ships built from 2022 will have to be significantly more energy-efficient.
Addressing challenges faced by seafarers in Western Asia & Eastern Europe
IMO has held the third in a series of regional webinars for Member States on the challenges faced by seafarers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The event (13 November) for stakeholders in Western Asia and Eastern Europe focused in particular on the crew change crisis, by raising best practices and solutions. In his opening address, IMO Secretary-General reiterated the need for action, the importance of seafarers and called for continued cooperation by all countries, authorities and stakeholders involved.
Training to improve casualty investigation reporting
A new train-the-trainer course to address the issue of underreporting of marine casualty investigations is underway (3-26 November). The comprehensive online course involves participants from 13 IMO Member States* in the Asia & Pacific region, with a view to increasing capacity to take on cases and thereby raise the rate of casualty reporting, in line with the mandatory Casualty Investigation Code.
Accelerating the race to zero emission shipping
The COVID recovery will require a new growth and innovation agenda for societies to rebuild in line with climate commitments. To address this issue, a series of "Race to Zero" dialogues to spur greater climate action across all sectors are being held.
Supporting safe resumption of cruise ship operations
IMO and UNWTO encourage the cruise industry and Governments to continue their efforts to enable cruise ship operations to resume safely. In a joint statement issued on 5 November, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) highlight the importance of the cruise sector for the world economy.