Archive 2023
Global Industry Alliance for Marine Biosafety agrees next steps
The Global Industry Alliance for Marine Biosafety has agreed the next stage of its plans to tackle aquatic invasive species through the management of biofouling. As part of its programme of work for 2023, members approved the commissioning of a study to understand how waste from in-water cleaning of biofouling might affect the ambient water quality.
Training Madagascar port facility security officers
Strengthening port security in Madagascar is the focus of a training workshop currently underway in Antananarivo, Madagascar (6-10 March). The event brings together 24 participants, including Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs) from various ports in Madagascar as well as representatives of the Designated Authority (Agence Portuaire Maritime Fluviale (APMF)).
Alternative fuel use - regulatory status mapped
Ammonia, hydrogen, ethane and Dimethyl Ether are among the “alternative” marine fuels which may need future regulatory work. This assessment is the result of a regulatory mapping exercise conducted by the Alternative low- and zero-carbon fuels workstream of the GreenVoyage2050 Global Industry Alliance to Support Low Carbon Shipping, with inputs and contributions from the International Chamber of Shipping.
IMO marks International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is being celebrated across the United Nations system and the world. This year’s theme is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. In a statement to mark the day, the Secretary-General of IMO, Mr. Kitack Lim said, "Throughout the year, every day, we must continue the fight for gender equality”.
Ventilation requirements for totally enclosed lifeboats finalized
Draft amendments to address ventilation of totally enclosed lifeboats were finalized by the Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE 9).
The Sub-Committee completed its review to minimize the incidence and consequences of fires on board ro-ro passenger ships. Also finalized were the draft 2023 Code of Safety for Diving Systems; and the draft interim guidelines on safe operation of onshore power supply service. Read full SSE 9 summary here.
Cambodia Ship Registry workshop concludes MEPSEAS activities
A workshop on the establishment of a Cambodian Ship Registry has been held in Phnom Penh (27 February to 3 March). It was the final activity of the Marine Environment Protection of the South-East Asian Seas Project (MEPSEAS) which formally concluded at the end of 2022.
IMO launches Türkiye/Syria earthquake fundraising appeal
IMO Secretary-General Mr. Kitack Lim, has launched an Appeal for Funds and a mechanism to facilitate donations to help those impacted by the devastating earthquake that hit Türkiye and the Syrian Arab Republic on 6 February 2023 followed by powerful aftershocks and another earthquake two weeks later.
Mrs. Mandana Mansoorian
IMO Secretary-General, Mr. Kitack Lim, has paid tribute to Mrs. Mandana Mansoorian, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the International Maritime Organization and Vice-Chair of the IMO Technical Cooperation Committee, who has passed away.
IMO Secretary-General Statement
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said that the IMO Membership and he personally remain deeply concerned about the ships and most importantly the seafarers that remain stranded in Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov since 24 February 2022.