Imo Hq News

The IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meets for its 65th session from 13 to 17 May 2013, at IMO HQ in London. Items on a busy agenda include the implementation of energy-efficiency regulations and the ballast water management and ship-recycling treaties. The MEPC is expected to continue its work on further developing technical and operational measures relating to energy-efficiency measures for ships, following the entry into force, on   January 2013, of the new chapter 4 of MARPOL Annex VI, which includes requirements mandating the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), for new ships, and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), for all ships.

Canadian & Chilean rescuers presented with Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea 2012 at IMO HQ in London. Sergeant Janick Gilbert (posthumously), Master Corporal Max Lahaye-Lemay and Master Corporal Marco Journeyman, crew members of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 424 (Transport and Rescue) Squadron, were nominated by the Government of Canada, in recognition of the exceptional bravery which was displayed by them, in saving the lives of two Inuit hunters stranded in an open boat in icy waters near Igloolik, Nunavut.

The “Cape Town Agreement of 2012 agreed by 58 states will be open for signature ratification at IMO HQ early next year. The new Agreement adopted at a recent diplomatic conference held under the auspices of IMO in Cape Town refers to the implementation of the provisions of the 1993 protocol relating to the Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels, 1977”. The safety of fishermen and fishing vessels forms an integral part of IMO’s mandate but the international instruments on fishing vessel safety which have previously been adopted by the Organization have not come into force due to a variety of technical and legal obstacles. Fishing at sea remains a hazardous occupation and the sector experiences a large number of fatalities every year.

The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) is set to meet for the next nine days to debate a number of matters of high importance, notably the implementation of the maritime security measures adopted by IMO in 2002. Scheduled for May 12-21 at IMO HQ in London, the meeting will also address issues that could have impact on the way in which ships are designed. On the agenda is "Goal-based new ship construction standards," and the MSC is expected to examine in detail the concept that IMO should develop "goal-based" standards for ships' construction and equipment. The MSC is expected to consider specific proposals, by Governments and international organizations, on goal-based standards and design philosophy in order to clarify and define their meaning.