Archive 2020
Addressing challenges faced by seafarers in Asia
IMO has held the latest in a series of regional events to identify best practices and help alleviate the current crisis affecting seafarers and the shipping industry. The Asia regional webinar (4-5 November) featured 13 speakers from across maritime administrations, governments, UN partners and international shipping organizations.
IMO's technical work continues as Maritime Safety Committee meets
The Maritime Safety Committee resumes its technical work this week, with its 102nd session (MSC 102) meeting in virtual session (4-11 November). The Committee will focus its work on reviewing the work of the IMO Sub-Committees and adoption of a number of previously approved amendments to mandatory instruments.
IMO’s World Maritime University students graduate despite the pandemic
Maritime leaders of tomorrow from 79 countries have graduated from the World Maritime University (WMU) in the Class of 2020. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, four small graduation ceremonies were held at WMU (from 31 October to 1 November) to honour the graduates.
Maritime security training for Gabon
Gabon is the latest IMO Member State to receive tailor-made, virtual maritime security training from IMO experts (2-3 November). Gabon officials received a recap of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and the specific role of the Designated Authority (DA) – a specified organization responsible for maritime security that is nominated by a national Government.
Addressing challenges faced by seafarers: regional webinars launched
IMO has held the first in a series of regional webinars for Member States on the challenges faced by seafarers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The event (21 October) for Eastern and Southern Africa covered pressing issues including crew change, repatriation, medical care, emotional and mental health support. The objective of the series is to identify best practices with a view to alleviating the current crisis affecting seafarers and the shipping industry. Some 400,000 seafarers are stranded on ships after contracts have been extended or have expired, with similar numbers waiting to join ships.
Maritime technology centre project extended
A key project to support the reduction of GHG emissions from shipping in developing countries through regional maritime technology cooperation centres has been extended to June 2021. The Global MTCC Network (GMN) Project is implemented by IMO and funded by the European Union.
Public-private alliance to combat biofouling expands
Tas Global Co., Ltd and DHI Water and Environment are the latest entities to join the Global Industry Alliance (GIA) for Marine Biosafety, an initiative launched in June 2020 by the IMO GloFouling Partnerships project. The initiative works to promote collaboration with the private sector to address two of the most pressing environmental issues of our time: invasive species and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Collaborating to reduce GHG emissions from ports and ships
A new strategic partnership to strengthen cooperation between ships and ports to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has been signed by the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and the GreenVoyage2050 Project, which is executed by IMO. The partnership will result in collaboration to jointly deliver technical cooperation and capacity-building activities. more...
New animation launched highlighting digitalization
A new IMO video animation has been launched, to show how electronic data exchange is vital to ensure supply chains continue to function safely and effectively, with contactless clearance of ships in and out of ports. (Watch the video here.) The video was launched during a webinar (8 October) on “Future of Shipping: Digitalization”, co-organised by IMO and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. Opening the webinar, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim emphasised the need for increased digitalization. more...