Tag: IMO

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the latest state to endorse the IMO instrument providing rules for the prevention of air pollution from ships and energy efficiency requirements. The overall number of ratifications of MARPOL Annex VI is 93, and reflects the 96.6% of the global merchant shipping tonnage.

A recent report by OceanCare, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Seas at Risk and Natural Resources Defense Council, found that the EU could fail to protect marine wildlife from the impacts of intense underwater noise levels by 2020, despite a requirement to do so under EU marine law. The report raises concerns that despite evidence that noise sources are damaging marine species, some governments continue to call for further research instead of taking action.

IBIA announced that it will be present at the 6th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 6), which will endeavour to complete work on remaining issues relating to consistent implementation of the 0.50% sulphur limit set to take effect from 1 January 2020.

SEA EUROPE stated that with 90% of international trade, 80% of the EU’s external trade and 40% of the EU’s internal trade carried by water, shipping is vital for trade. In the meantime, shipping accounts for the 3.1% of CO2 emissions. Should no actions to be taken, shipping emissions could exceed the 250% by 2050. 

The Netherlands has become the eighth country to ratify the Hong Kong Convention, the treaty for safe and environmentally-sound ship recycling, IMO announced. Mr. Dick Brus, Directorate for Maritime Affairs of the Netherlands, met IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim at IMO Headquarters, in London, on 20 February, to deposit the instrument of acceptance.

Guyana ratified two key IMO measures aimed to preserve bio-diversity: the Ballast Water Management Convention and another on use of harmful anti-fouling systems on ships hulls. It also ratified others regarding unlawful acts against the safety of navigation and removing wrecks from the seabed. In addition, it signed four instruments covering liability and compensation.

IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim, called all Member States and overall the maritime industry, including shipping and ports, to follow IMO's ambitious attempts on reducing GHG shipping emissions from global shipping.

IMO's Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 6), which took place on 4-8 February 2019, considered a first set of draft recommendations for fishing vessels and pleasure yachts operating in Polar waters, but are not already covered by the mandatory Polar Code, the so-called 'non-SOLAS' ships.

As part of its work to make ships mooring safer, IMO's Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 6), which took place on 4-8 February 2019, introduced new requirements for appropriate and safe-to-use designs of mooring arrangements, a maintenance and inspection regime, as well as proper documentation.

Women's full and meaningful participation in the economy, political decision-making and society is key to addressing maritime challenges, said IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim in his welcoming address to the 6th session of the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR6).