Sub-Committee On Carriage Of Cargoes And Containers (CCC8) opening

ADDRESS OF THE IMO SECRETARY-GENERAL KITACK LIM AT THE OPENING OF THE EIGHTH SESSION OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON ON CARRIAGE OF CARGOES AND CONTAINERS (CCC 8)

(14 to 23 September 2022)

Good morning, distinguished delegates and observers.

I am pleased to welcome you all to the eighth session of the Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers.

First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the members of the Royal Family, King Charles III, the Government, the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Commonwealth and the Permanent Representation of the United Kingdom to IMO on the passing of Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. I had the immense honour and privilege to meet Her Majesty here at IMO. Her genuine interest in shipping and maritime matters was remarkable. The entire membership of the International Maritime Organization and the Secretariat share the grief over her passing. May I propose to hold a minute's silence in memory of her late majesty the Queen. 

[One Minutes Silence]

Her Majesty's dedication and service will continue to inspire everyone and will always be remembered. A book of Remembrance has been opened today in my waiting room on the 4th Floor at the IMO HQ for delegates and staff. The book will remain open until the end of the month.

I am also deeply saddened to hear that the former Chair of MSC, Mr. Christian Breinholt of Denmark, recently passed away. As many of you may remember, Christian chaired the Maritime Safety Committee from 2012 to 2015. We are all appreciative of his many important contributions to the work of this Organization. My deepest condolences to the Breinholt family and the delegation of Denmark. It would be most appreciated if the delegation of Demark could convey our condolences to his family and colleagues.

Distinguished delegates,

Your Sub-Committee is the very first meeting to be held in person since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. The meeting is also the first to be supplemented by hybrid meeting capabilities for a trial period of one year. In this regard, I am looking forward to receiving your feedback on the use of the newly introduced hybrid meeting system.

"New technologies for greener shipping" is the World Maritime theme for 2022, reflecting the need to support a green transition of the maritime sector into a sustainable future, while leaving no one behind.

The theme provides an opportunity to focus on the importance of a sustainable maritime sector and the need to build back better and greener in a post pandemic world.

As you may be aware, the Council also endorsed next year's World Maritime Theme: "MARPOL at 50 - Our commitment goes on". This theme will provide the opportunity for the maritime community to highlight the relevance and importance of the MARPOL treaty now and into the future. The theme reflects the Organization's long history of protecting the environment from the impact of shipping via a robust regulatory framework and emphasizes its ongoing commitment.  

In this regard, I would like to highlight the importance of your work concerning the development of technical provisions for alternative low‑flashpoint fuels. Over the past years, your Sub-Committee has been providing workable solutions to meet sulphur oxide (SOx), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon reduction targets, most importantly, to ensure safety implications and potential risks associated with the use of low-flashpoint fuel are properly addressed. I encourage you to intensify your efforts to further contribute to this important work.

Distinguished delegates,

Moving to the items on your agenda at this session, you are expected to consider matters related to the development of safety provisions to support the achievement of the decarbonization goal. I encourage you to take a broad approach to making contributions to tackle the challenge posed by the pace of development of technology and decarbonization ambition, based on your productive and effective experience with the development of technical provisions for alternative fuels.

I would urge you to finalize the interim guidelines for the safety of ships using LPG as fuel at this session, taking into account their close relation with the existing provisions of the IGF Code. I would also encourage you to progress the development of technical provisions for the use of hydrogen, ammonia and low-flashpoint oil fuel, in accordance with your work plan.

Another important item on your agenda is the review of the IGC Code. A large number of amendments have been proposed for consideration by the Sub-Committee and I am confident you will take appropriate action to consider them thoroughly.

Distinguished delegates,

The Sub-Committee and the Editorial and Technical Group will this year finalize the latest amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, with a view to submitting them to MSC 107 for adoption. These amendments will be adopted in the form of a consolidated version of the whole IMSBC Code. 

With regard to packaged dangerous goods, among other important matters under that agenda item, you will consider the outcome of the Correspondence Group on Review of Maritime Special Provisions. Your sub-committee is also expected to provide instructions to the Editorial and Technical Group to initiate the preparation of the next set of draft amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code for the next two-year revision cycle.

I would further like to emphasize the importance of moving forward with the work regarding the detection and reporting of containers lost at sea. An unusually high number of incidents involving containers lost at sea has been observed in recent years and, in this respect, I urge you to develop appropriate measures to enhance the location, tracking and recovery of containers lost at sea, a serious hazard to navigation and safety at sea in general.

Distinguished delegates,

You have many other important issues before you over the next two weeks but I am confident that, under the expert guidance of your experienced Chair, Ms. Maryanne Adams of the Marshall Islands, ably supported by the Vice‑Chair, Mr. David Anderson of Australia, as well as the staff of the Maritime Safety Division, you will be able to successfully navigate through all the challenging issues that are set out before you.

Thank you.