Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 9), 9th session, 20-29 September, 2023 – opening remarks

Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 9), 9th session, 20-29 September, 2023 – opening remarks

ADDRESS ON BEHALF OF THE IMO SECRETARY-GENERAL AT THE OPENING OF THE NINTH SESSION OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON CARRIAGE OF CARGOES AND CONTAINERS (CCC 9)

Delivered by Heike Deggim, Director, Maritime Safety Division, on behalf of the Secretary-General Kitack Lim

(20 to 29 September 2023)

Good morning, good afternoon and good evening to the distinguished delegates and observers who are present here at IMO Headquarters or participating remotely.

On behalf of the Secretary-General, it is a pleasure for me to welcome you to the ninth session of the Sub‑Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers and to deliver the opening remarks for the meeting. I particularly welcome those delegates participating in an IMO meeting for the first time, it has always been a pleasure to see so many delegates attending the first meeting after the summer break.

First, on behalf of the Secretary-General and the whole IMO membership, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the Libyan Authorities and the families of those who have lost their lives in the massive flooding in eastern Libya following storm Daniel, as well as the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco and to all those impacted by the devasting earthquake, with thousands of lives lost and many still missing. Our thoughts are with the people of Libya and Morocco in these difficult times. 

I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words about this year's World Maritime theme, which is "MARPOL at 50 - Our commitment goes on". 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 to this important work. It also spotlights the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, better known as MARPOL, which covers prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational and accidental causes. Let us use this opportunity to renew our commitment to ensuring the sustainability of the shipping industry and the protection of the marine environment, which are critical issues that require our continued attention for generations to come.

As you may be aware, the Council, at its 129th session earlier this year, has chosen "Navigating the future: safety first!" as the World Maritime Theme for 2024. This theme reflects IMO's commitment and work to enhance maritime safety and will provide an opportunity for the maritime community to assess and ultimately address the full range of safety regulatory implications arising from new and adapted technologies and the introduction of alternative fuels, among others.

Over the last years, your Sub-Committee has been playing a vital role in the development of technical provisions for alternative fuels and related technologies. Several sets of safety provisions have been developed and continuous efforts have been made in accordance with a clear work plan, addressing emerging challenges and fostering innovation. Your collaborative efforts have resulted in significant advancements in ensuring that safety implications and potential risks associated with the use of alternative fuels and related technologies are duly addressed. At the same time, these achievements set the stage for future work in the years and decades to come, in light of the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships adopted at MEPC 80 and the related new agenda item approved by MSC at its last session: the development of a safety regulatory framework to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships using new technologies and alternative fuels.

Distinguished delegates,

Delving into the agenda for this session, you are expected to continue your efforts to develop amendments to the IGF Code and guidelines for alternative fuels and related technologies. I would urge you to further progress, with a view to finalization, the interim guidelines for the safety of ships using hydrogen and ammonia as fuel at this session, taking into account the urgent need for the maritime industry to utilize these fuels to reduce GHG emissions and combat climate change. I would also encourage you to progress the development of technical provisions for the use of low-flashpoint oil fuel and gathering experience on the use of methanol and fuel cells, in accordance with your work plan.

Another major task for your Sub-Committee at this session is the review of the IGC Code. The ongoing revision of the Code involves a large number of amendments, and I am confident that you will take appropriate action to consider them systematically and thoroughly.

The Sub-Committee and the Editorial and Technical Group will finalize the latest amendments to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code this year, with a view to submitting them to MSC 108 for adoption, as usual in the form of a consolidated version of the whole IMDG Code. 

With regard to solid bulk cargoes, I would also advise the Sub-Committee to provide instructions to the Editorial and Technical Group to initiate the preparation of the next set of draft amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code.

I would further like to emphasize the importance of a new item on your agenda, and that is the revision of the recommendations on entering enclosed spaces on board ships, adopted by resolution A.1050(27). Once again, an alarming frequency of accidents related to entering enclosed spaces has been observed, resulting in a profoundly distressing culmination of human lives lost.  I urge you to comprehensively review the existing recommendations, with a view to improving the guidance to ensure the safety of personnel entering enclosed spaces on board ships.

Distinguished delegates,

You have many other important items to consider during the coming two weeks and I am confident that, with the usual customary IMO spirit of cooperation and under the leadership of your experienced Chair, Ms. Maryanne Adams of the Marshall Islands, ably supported by the Vice‑Chair, Mr. David Anderson of Australia, you will engage in constructive discussions and reach agreement on the matters before you at this ninth session of your Sub‑Committee.

In concluding, I extend best wishes to all of you for every success in your deliberations and I would like to cordially invite all of you, on behalf of the Secretary-General, to the customary cocktail reception in the Delegates' Lounge this evening, after the closure of today's session.

Thank you.

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