Archive 2020
Eight IMO Member States come together on autonomous ships/ports interface
Trials of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) will be key towards developing an appropriate regulatory regime that addresses the specific challenges of autonomous ships. Eight IMO Member States* have come together to form the MASSPorts, an initiative promoted by Singapore to address the challenges and achieve alignment of standards for the trials and operation of MASS in ports. more...
Resuming safe cruise operations in the European Union – guidance issued
Cruise shipping has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To facilitate the gradual and safe restart of cruise ship operations, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have jointly developed Guidance on the gradual and safe resumption of operations of cruise ships in the European Union in relation to the COVID‑19 pandemic, which has been circulated by IMO. (Download here.) more...
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Digitalization of shipping – more important than ever
Digitalization, big data, and new technologies such as artificial intelligence are key in enabling the post-COVID recovery, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim told a a webinar (28 July) on Digital Connectivity and Data Standards. “Cooperation between shipping, ports and logistics will be vital for enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of shipping and therefore facilitating trade and fostering economic recovery and prosperity,” Mr. Lim said. more...
Steps towards increased maritime security and economic growth in Kenya
An ambitious roadmap to develop a National Maritime Security Strategy for Kenya was agreed following an inaugural virtual meeting (21 July) organised by IMO. When in place, the strategy will bring significant opportunities for social-economic growth, by safeguarding and promoting the blue economy and by providing a safe and secure operating environment for international maritime transportation. more...
IMO to reset meetings calendar
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced that the original 2020 calendar of meetings has now been rescinded, as work gets under way to reschedule IMO meetings. The Organization advised in a Circular Letter that the IMO Council, which is meeting by correspondence for its thirty-second extraordinary session (C/ES.32), is considering the reconstruction of the schedule of meetings for 2020, including the possibilities for virtual meetings. more...
Peru and Ecuador get set to tackle invasive aquatic species
The IMO-led GloFouling Partnerships project is tackling the introduction of invasive aquatic organisms into new marine environments. Such invasions can affect biodiversity and ecosystem health and may have measurable impacts on several economic sectors. The project is working with 12 Lead Partnering Countries - Ecuador and Peru have held their first national workshops and national task force meetings. more...
More States need to act on crew changes, says IMO Secretary-General
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has urged further Member States to sign up to pledges to ensure more than 200,000 seafarers can be repatriated after months on board ship beyond their original contracts. Mr. Lim made the call in a circular letter issued to disseminate a joint statement following a United Kingdom convened summit on crew changes. more...
Informal discussions focus on cutting shipping’s carbon intensity
IMO has facilitated virtual informal discussion sessions (6-10 July) on short-term greenhouse gas reduction measures for international shipping and their associated impact assessments. The sessions provided a platform for all IMO Member States and organizations in consultative status with IMO to exchange views and share updated information on various technical and operational proposals to reduce the carbon intensity of international shipping. more...
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Further progress towards greener and safer ship recycling in Bangladesh
Good progress towards greener and safer ship recycling in Bangladesh has been reported during the annual meeting for the IMO-Norway-Bangladesh project on "Safe and Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling in Bangladesh – Phase II" (SENSREC), held virtually (8 July). IMO and the Governments of Norway and Bangladesh took stock of the Project and discussed further cooperation. more...