Sustainable Maritime Transportation System News

The Government of Japan has made a contribution of $1 million (USD) to the IMO West and Central Africa Maritime Security Trust Fund, established by IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu to implement maritime security projects in the Gulf of Guinea, including the prevention and suppression of piracy and armed robbery against ships and other illicit maritime activity. The significant contribution by Japan will go towards supporting the implementation of the Code of Conduct concerning the prevention of piracy, armed robbery against ships and illicit maritime activity in the West and Central Africa, which was signed by west and central Africa countries in June 2013.

Shipping luminaries gathered recently in New York to discuss issues and recognize achievements at the 2013 North American World Maritime Day and NAMEPA (North American Marine Environment Protection Association) Marine Environment Protection Awards Dinner. “NAMEPA was honored to host this annual event, and gratified by the interest and participation at the highest levels of shipping in our industry” stated NAMEPA Chairman Clay Maitland. Topics covered in the day’s conference included promoting a safety culture and environmental stewardship…

An IMO symposium on a Sustainable Maritime Transportation System, held on world Maritime Day (September 26, 2013), provided an opportunity for a discussion on a global agenda for a sustainable maritime transportation system. The symposium reflected the world Maritime Day theme: “Sustainable Development: IMO's contribution beyond Rio+20”. IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu told the symposium that shipping, and port industries were vital links in the global supply chain, the complex mechanism without which today’s inter-dependent, global economy would be simply unable to function.

Chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Roberto Cazzulo, speaking at the IMO World Maritime Day Symposium on 'Sustainable Maritime Transportation System', noted that IMO had recently supported in principle his organization's proposal for establishing an (Energy Efficient Design Index) "EEDI Database" for new ships being constructed in accordance with new IMO GHG regulations. In a detailed paper Mr Cazzulo observed that action by IMO on climate change would lead to significant emission reductions, between 9 and 16% in 2020 and between 17 and 25% by 2030 compared with current practice. He said, "The emission reduction measures will also result in significant fuel cost savings to the shipping industry…

IMO will host a special one-day symposium on a Sustainable Maritime Transportation System, on 26 September 2013, World Maritime Day. The Symposium has been arranged in order to provide Member States, industry and other stakeholders an opportunity to discuss and reflect on the theme of this year’s World Maritime Day theme: "Sustainable Development: IMO's contribution beyond Rio+20". As background for the Symposium, a Concept of a Sustainable Maritime Transportation System has been developed (the document can be downloaded via the link below ).

IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu welcomed his counterparts, Raymond Benjamin, Secretary-General, ICAO, and Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary-General, WCO, to IMO Headquarters on Monday, July 8, where the three considered the further enhancement of collaboration between the Organizations in the fields of aviation, border and maritime security and facilitation. ICAO and the IMO perform their roles as specialized agencies of the United Nations, while the WCO is an independent intergovernmental body.