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Imo Legal Committee News

16 May 2018

Interview: Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, IMO

Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, IMO. Photo: IMO

As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) celebrates its 70th anniversary, Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, sits in his London office with a sense of satisfaction that in his two plus years at the helm of IMO tremendous strides have been made toward significant greenhouse gas emission reductions, punctuated by the recent MEPC meeting where the target was set for a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050. But the Secretary- General’s sense of satisfaction is tempered with the fact that his job has just begun and his plate is full.

23 Apr 2018

Compensation Regime for Hazardous and Noxious Cargoes

Two ratifications to a key compensation treaty covering the transport of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) by ship have brought the instrument a step closer to entry into force. Canada and Turkey on Monday (23 April) deposited their instruments of ratification to the 2010 Protocol to the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996 (2010 HNS Convention). When in force, the treaty will provide a regime of liability and compensation for damage caused by HNS cargoes transported by sea, including oil and chemicals, and covers not only pollution damage, but also the risks of fire and explosion, including loss of life or personal injury as well as loss of or damage to property.

27 Apr 2017

IMO’s Legal Committee to Promote HNS 2010

International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Legal Committee is expected to consider adopting a resolution to encourage the ratification and implementation of the 2010 HNS Convention, when it meets for its 104th session (26-28 April). Norway recently became the first country to become a Contracting State to this key compensation treaty covering the transport of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) by ship. Also up for consideration is a draft Assembly resolution to allow for the delegation of authority to issue insurance certificates under the CLC and the HNS Convention. The Committee is also expected to confirm the addition of mandatory insurance certificates into the consolidated draft list of certificates and documents required to be carried on board ships, 2017.

18 Jan 2017

IMO Welcomes Financial Security Obligations for Seafarers

International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack Lim has welcomed the entry into force today (18 January) of new obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) which require shipowners to have compulsory insurance to cover abandonment of seafarers, as well as claims for death or long-term disability of seafarers. The 2014 amendments to the MLC 2006, which comes under the auspices of the International Labour Organization (ILO), are based on guidelines which were developed by a joint IMO/ILO working group, which reported to both IMO's Legal Committee and ILO's governing bodies. "These amendments, which will provide better protection for seafarers and their families…

17 Jan 2017

Successful Cooperation for Safe Sea Transport of Oil

The story of how that incident served as a catalyst for positive change is told in a new exhibition which was launched on Monday (16 January) at the headquarters of the IMO, the United Nations agency with responsibility for the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of pollution from ships. A series of panels chart the collaborative work which has resulted today in a comprehensive regulatory framework, a demonstrably improved shipping industry, good systems of preparedness and response and adequate compensation for those affected by spills. Demand for oil remains strong and shipping remains the most effective means of meeting that demand.

17 Jan 2017

IMO Exhibition on Safe Sea Oil Transport

The 50 years since the grounding of the tanker Torrey Canyon in 1967 have seen dramatic and sustained reduction in major oil spills from ships, thanks to cooperation between Governments and industry. The story of how that incident served as a catalyst for positive change is told in a new exhibition which was launched on Monday (16 January) at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency with responsibility for the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of pollution from ships. A series of panels chart the collaborative work which has resulted today in a comprehensive regulatory framework…

06 Dec 2016

Wiswall Receives International Maritime Prize

Dr. Frank Lawrence Wiswall Junior (Photo: IMO)

Maritime lawyer Dr. Frank Lawrence Wiswall Junior, former Chair of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Legal Committee and Vice President (Honoris Causa) of the Comité Maritime International (CMI), has received the International Maritime Prize for 2015 for his contribution to the work of IMO over many years. Presenting the Prize, during a ceremony at IMO Headquarters on Monday, December 5, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim highlighted Dr. Wiswall's dedication and leadership in the field of international maritime law over several decades…

08 Jul 2016

Maritime Lawyer Dr. Frank Wiswall Gets 2015 International Maritime Prize

The prestigious International Maritime Prize for 2015 is to be awarded to Dr. Frank Lawrence Wiswall Junior, former Chair of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Legal Committee and Vice-President (Honoris Causa) Comité Maritime International (CMI), for his contribution to the work of IMO over many years. The IMO Council has decided to award the Prize, noting Dr. Wiswall's personal contribution to the work of IMO, leading IMO’s Legal Committee as it developed a number of key international treaties and holding important roles at various international IMO legal and diplomatic conferences. As a lecturer at the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) in Malta and as a Member of its Governing Board from 1992 to the present, Dr.

20 Apr 2015

Transboundary Oil Pollution Debated in IMO

33 countries and a number of international organisations have just met at the IMO headquarters in London under the chairmanship of Denmark and Indonesia. On this occasion, liability for damages and the obligation to take out insurance in connection with transboundary oil pollution damage resulting from offshore activities were considered, and this has resulted in the drafting of guidance that is expected to be presented to the IMO Legal Committee in the spring of 2016. On several occasions, Denmark and Indonesia have tried to make the IMO undertake to develop an international convention in this area, but resistance from a number of major oil producing countries have made this impossible until now.

02 May 2013

CLIA Welcome 'Whodunit' Proposals

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) commend the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Legal Committee's proposals for on-board crime procedures. The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Legal Committee recently adopted a proposal which CLIA co-sponsored on international standards for crime reporting, cooperation between governments, evidence preservation and care for victims. CLIA first offered the proposal to the IMO in 2011, marking the continuation of the Association's efforts to have such standards adopted globally. In addition to CLIA, other co-sponsors were the United Kingdom, the International Federation of Shipmaster's Associations, and the International Association of Airport and Seaport Police. The proposal was also supported by the United States.

24 Apr 2013

SRI Survey: Seafarers and Criminal Law

Seafarers’ suggestions on how to improve their situation when facing criminal charges were presented at the landmark 100th session of the Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which met in London from April 15-19, 2013. The suggestions, which emanated from a comprehensive eight language survey conducted by Seafarers’ Rights International (SRI) over a 12-month period to February 2012, focus as much on fears of their own human rights being violated as on a lack of due process in the criminal process.

23 Apr 2013

Crime on Board: IMO Legal Committee Draft Guidelines

IMO Legal Committee 100th Meeting: Photo credit IMO

The Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), has drafted advice for masters of ships on preservation & collection of evidence. Draft guidelines on the preservation and collection of evidence following an allegation of a serious crime having taken place on board a ship, or following a report of a missing person from a ship, and on pastoral and medical care of victims were approved  by the Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), when it met for its 100th session.

20 Apr 2012

LLMC Increases – ICS Supports IMO Agreement

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which represents all sectors and trades and over 80% of the global shipping industry, and leads shipowner representation at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Legal Committee, has expressed strong support for the agreement reached by IMO this week to increase the limits of liability under the Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims Convention 1996 (LLMC), by 51%. In addition to general maritime claims, the new LLMC limits…

01 Jun 2011

Wrecks of the World II: Evaluating and Addressing Potential Underwater Threats

Delegates and speakers from around the globe will converge on the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) in the Washington, DC area Linthicum Heights, MD) US to participate in the second Wrecks of the World conference being held June 6-7, 2011. This is a unique opportunity to meet with global experts to explore potentially polluting wrecks and recent incidents around the world. These wrecks have caused government agencies and responsible parties to look…

17 May 2011

Wrecks of the World II, June 6-7

the World: Evaluating and Addressing Potential Underwater Threats” (WOW) II” on Monday, June 6 and Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) in the Washington, DC area (Linthicum Heights, MD) USA. The conference will explore the problem of potentially polluting wrecks and recent incidents around the world that have caused government agencies and responsible parties to look proactively at preventing catastrophic oil and other chemical releases from these long-submerged shipwrecks which may contain as much as 20 million tons of oil and other hazardous materials. Sporadic or continuous leakages or potential sudden massive spillages from these wrecks pose a continual risk across the globe.

22 Sep 2009

Asian Shipping Interests Must Speak Up

According to Oh Kong-Gyun, Chairman and CEO of the Korean Register of Shipping (KR), the size of the Asian shipping and shipbuilding industries is such that they should occupy a more prominent and influential position in the international regulatory process than they currently do. Generating a louder voice for Asian shipping had been a central theme of Mr Oh’s recent IACS chairmanship and one that he is keen to continue now his tenure at IACS is complete. Oh was addressing an international forum of senior shipping people who had gathered to participate in SIMS, a Korean Register conference organised with the support of the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, the Korea Shipowners’ Association, the Korea Shipbuilders’ Association and the Korea Marine Equipment Association.

21 Nov 2008

Round Table Meeting in Beijing

In connection with a recent Shipping Industry meeting in Beijing the four Chairmen of the Round Table of international shipping associations (RT) which comprises BIMCO, ICS, Intercargo and Intertanko, met to discuss issues of common interest including piracy, the plight of the “Hebei Spirit” officers and practical measures to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions from ships. The state of lawlessness and recent escalation of piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden is of enormous concern to the international shipping industry. The RT supports and commends those States that have provided warships to operate in the Gulf of Aden. The presence of these…

01 Oct 2003

Maitland Addresses Mandatory Data Collection by Flag States

A mandatory system of data collection by flag states is the best way to lift the veil of secrecy from the shipping industry without interfering with the normal process of ship sales, financing, insurance and legitimate commercial secrecy needs, Clay Maitland, managing partner of International Registries, Inc. (IRI), said at a Conference on Maritime Legislation, Regulation and Policy in Washington, D.C. today . IRI administers the Marshall Islands registry, and Maitland is a leading maritime lawyer and a representative to the IMO's Legal Committee. He said that the Marshall Islands registry already required disclosure of the parent company that owned a vessel offered to it for registration or re-registration.

28 Mar 2002

SHC Will Meet in Washington

The Shipping Coordinating Committee, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, will meet in Washington, DC on April 16, 2002 to prepare for the 84th Session of the IMO Legal Committee (LEG 84). Items on the agenda include a review of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Navigation, 1988, and the Protocol of 1988 relating to Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf. The Wreck Removal Convention will also be examined. Source: HK Law

21 Jun 2002

MARAD Issues Report

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued its quarterly Report on Port and Shipping Safety and Environmental Protection dated July 2002. The report reviews such maritime developments as the recent meetings of the IMO Legal Committee and Maritime Safety Committee, as well as the proposed EPA rule regarding emission standards for certain new marine diesel engines. Source: HK Law

13 Jan 2005

SCC Meetings

The Shipping Coordinating Committee, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, will hold two meetings in Washington, DC. The first meeting (on February 8) is to prepare for the 48th session of the IMO Subcommittee on Ship Design and Equipment (DE). Topics on the agenda include longitudinal strength of tankers; large passenger ship safety; measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats; and protection of fuel tanks. The second meeting (on April 12) is to prepare for the 90th session of the IMO Legal Committee (LEG). Topics on the agenda include the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation; the draft Wreck Removal Convention; and the Provision of Financial Security. 70 Fed. Reg. 2450 (HK Law)

13 Jan 2005

Shipping Coordinating Committee Meetings Scheduled for DC

The Shipping Coordinating Committee, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, will hold two meetings in Washington, DC. The first meeting (on February 8) is to prepare for the 48th session of the IMO Subcommittee on Ship Design and Equipment (DE). Topics on the agenda include longitudinal strength of tankers; large passenger ship safety; measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats; and protection of fuel tanks. The second meeting (on April 12) is to prepare for the 90th session of the IMO Legal Committee (LEG). Topics on the agenda include the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation; the draft Wreck Removal Convention; and the Provision of Financial Security. Source: HK Law

02 Mar 2005

New Rules for Oil Spill Compensation Enter Force

Increased levels of compensation will be available for victims of oil pollution from oil tanker accidents on 3 March 2005 with the entry into force of the 2003 Protocol establishing an International Oil Pollution Compensation Supplementary Fund. The Fund will supplement the compensation available under the 1992 Civil Liability Convention (CLC) and the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage (FUND), with an additional, third tier of compensation. Participation is optional and is open to all States which are parties to the 1992 Fund Convention. The total amount of compensation payable for any one incident will be limited to a combined total of 750 million Special Drawing Rights (SDR) (just over US$1…