National Maritime Administration News

Smugglers suspected of evading sanctions on North Korea have turned to schemes to create fraudulent identities for sanctioned ships, a U.S.-based research group said in a report released on Thursday.Ships suspected of smuggling have long modified their physical appearance or broadcast false position data, said the report from C4ADS, a non-profit group.But the practice of "vessel identity laundering" is significantly more sophisticated and not only undermines sanctions, but jeopardizes the integrity of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ship registration system…

Somalia has more than 3,300 km of coastline, the longest and perhaps the most geographically significant in the Horn of Africa, four main commercial seaports and about five minor ports.But plagued by decades of civil war, a lot of effort is required to rebuild the sector, pointed out a press release form the International Maritime Organization (IMO).IMO and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) have organized a workshop in Mogadishu, Somalia (25-27 August 2019) to finalize the much-awaited Somalia Shipping Code with the hope that it will be enacted in parliament.The Somalia Shipping Code includes the necessary steps required to accede all key IMO treaties…

The MPA Academy – the training arm of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) – in partnership with the Singapore Management University (SMU) and Human Capital Leadership Institute, has officially launched its 2nd Advanced Maritime Leaders’ Programme (AMLP). Taking place from 20 to 25 April 2017, the six-day programme will gather 19 senior maritime and port officials from all regions including, Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Oceania. The Advanced Maritime Leaders’ Programme (AMLP) focuses on leadership development and is uniquely designed for senior maritime officers heading maritime and port administrations in their respective countries.

​The revised Somalia Maritime Code is being finalized at a four-day Stakeholders Forum, sponsored by International Maritime Organization (IMO) (Kigali, Rwanda 12-15 July). The workshop is part of IMO’s ongoing technical assistance to the Federal Government of Somalia and regional authorities in establishing a Maritime Administration for Somalia capable of undertaking flag, port and coastal states duties in line with IMO instruments. The revised Code reflects developments in international maritime law and best practices and as such provides the necessary legal backing for the effective functioning of the Somalia National Maritime Administration.

The 4th Edition of Oil Spill India (OSI) 2016 is all set to be launched at the JW Marriot Sahar, Mumbai. Keeping with the current trend and the government policy of "Make in India" the theme selected for this two-day event scheduled for 11th and 12th August 2016 is "Commitment, Synergy, Excellence. For the first time Mumbai will play host to this unique major event “OSI 2016”, whereas the first three editions had been successfully hosted in GOA. In year 2011, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC), Directorate of General Shipping and the Indian Coast Guard, in association with iTEN Media recognized a need for an industry forum to deliberate & collaborate on response frameworks for Oil Discharges in the region, as same was on discount.

The original two-year MOU has been renewed indefinitely following major progress towards running demonstration projects in Bangladesh as a pilot for taking the safety initiative worldwide. The new agreement was signed in London by IMO secretary-general Efthimios Mitropoulos and Interferry CEO Len Roueche. The trade association has IMO consultative status and a global membership of more than 200 leading operators and suppliers. Mr Roueche said: “This commitment to our ongoing cooperation will be crucial in helping to prevent thousands of avoidable deaths. Initial funds have been raised for key elements of the Bangladesh pilot programme, which is based on proposals from a working group including the national maritime administration, local operators and other stakeholders.

U.S. maritime shippers, carriers and port operators will have far-reaching access to Vietnam’s rapidly expanding markets for transportation services, thanks to a new agreement signed today by U.S. Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton and Vuong Dinh Lam, Vietnam’s national maritime administration chairman. Under the terms of the new agreement, U.S. companies may acquire a controlling 51 percent share in joint venture enterprises, such as partnering arrangements between U.S. and Vietnamese companies. The agreement also allows U.S. companies to take a lead role in providing a wide range of maritime services including cargo agency, cargo documentation, cargo management, ocean freight forwarding, storage and warehouse services, and container station and depot services.