Capacity Building News

The IMO's Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response held its 13th session at IMO Headquarters in London from 9 to 13 February 2026.Outcomes include:Groundwork laid for future legally binding framework on biofoulingFollowing the decision of MEPC 83 to develop a legally binding framework on biofouling management to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species, the Sub-Committee agreed some fundamental elements that will guide this work. These include the recommendation for the framework to take the form of a standalone instrument…

The United Nations has launched the first ever United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035).The Implementation Plan, launched in New York, is the result of a participatory consultation process and provides a roadmap to align policies, finance, technology and data with sustainable transport to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.“This consultative and inclusive process has opened new avenues for cooperation, and we have been privileged to lead it. It has brought together governments…

Panama is participating this week in the 34th session of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the most significant forum within the global maritime system and the specialized governing body of the United Nations, from November 24 to 28. This setting defines the policies, standards, and priorities that will shape the international maritime agenda in the years ahead.The Panamanian delegation is composed of Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the IMO…

On Wednesday, August 6, 2025 the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) presented Captain (Aqeed) Ahmed Al Badi, Head of the Oman National Hydrographic Office (ONHO), with the Alexander Dalrymple Award for 2025. The award recognizes his services to hydrography. Captain Ahmed Al Badi was invited to the UKHO where he was presented with this year’s award. Hosted by the UK’s National Hydrographer and Director of Data Acquisition and Defence, Rear Admiral Angus Essenhigh OBE, the presentation was attended by members of the wider UKHO team…

Starting with a few training sessions back in 2015, the EU Seaport Cooperation Project (SEACOP) has led to enhanced maritime security by combating illicit trafficking at sea in the region.Deployed across three strategic regions affected by maritime trafficking, Latin America, the Caribbean and West Africa, SEACOP, it is now a cornerstone of the region’s maritime security efforts, helping national authorities from 13 countries tackle transnational illicit trafficking through intelligence sharing…

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has made recommendations aimed at improving the Department of Interior’s oversight of offshore wind projects.The Department of the Interior and other federal agencies are supposed to work with Tribes, fisheries and other groups that could be affected, but their engagement with these groups isn't consistent, says GAO. Also, when the agencies get feedback from affected groups, they have inconsistently considered or addressed their concerns.These concerns could relate to climate and public health…

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has achieved another step towards establishing a legally binding framework to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships globally, aiming for net-zero emissions by or around, i.e close to 2050. The IMO Net-zero Framework is the first in the world to combine mandatory emissions limits and GHG pricing across an entire industry sector. Approved by the Marine Environment Protection Committee during its 83rd session (MEPC 83) from April 7-11, 2025, the measures include a new fuel standard for ships and a global pricing mechanism for emissions.

The IMO will reconvene in London on March 31 and April 1, for a crucial two-day Intersessional Working Group on Greenhouse Gas (ISWG-GHG 19) meeting. The meeting sets the stage for a decision on a GHG pricing mechanism by the Marine Environment Protection Committee 83 (MEPC 83) on April 7-11 on the future of shipping’s climate responsibility.The 6PAC+ alliance, a group of Pacific, African and Caribbean States, backed by major allies, emphasizes that this meeting is a make-or-break moment for securing a universal GHG levy of $150 per tonne of CO2-equivalent.

The Danish government today presented its Global Strategy for Maritime Security supported by the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice.The strategy focuses on international challenges to maritime security and outlines three overarching principles for Denmark's work to secure the right to freedom of navigation in 2025-2028.• Protect Danish maritime interests and assist companies in navigating…

Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has highlighted several areas high on the agenda of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as it embarks on a busy work schedule for 2025.Speaking at a news conference on 14 January 2025, Mr. Dominguez said that IMO’s 176 Member States continue to work together to find solutions to global challenges impacting the maritime sector.Dark fleetHe addressed rising concerns with the “dark fleet” or “shadow fleet” evading compliance with safety or environmental regulations, avoiding insurance costs or engaging in other illegal activities.Mr.

Nigerdock has completed an agreement with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for the commencement and expansion of Snake Island Port, an 85-hectare, multipurpose port facility comprising three terminals located within Snake Island Integrated Free Zone. The approval for the project was granted in 2023 by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), which has oversight on the implementation of major infrastructure projects across the country. The concession is for a period of 45 years with an optional extension.Nigerdock Chairman and CEO…

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating the energy transition of the global maritime and port sectors.Under the MoU, MPA and IRENA will promote knowledge exchange and best practices across the maritime and energy industries, focusing on clean energy infrastructure and supply chains for zero and near-zero emission fuel.Additionally, the parties will support countries in their transition through capacity-building training programs.

Australia will assume command of the Combined Maritime Force’s Combined Task Force (CTF) 153 for six months from October.CTF 153 was established in April 2022 and focuses on international maritime security and capacity-building efforts in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden.Australia has been conducting maritime security operations in the Middle East under Operation MANITOU since 1990 and has previously commanded CTFs 150 and 152. This will be its first time for CTF 153.Chief of Joint Operations…

Captain Ian Finley, Permanent Representative of the Cook Islands to IMO, has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious International Maritime Prize for 2023. The decision was made by the IMO Council at its 132nd session (July 8 to 12, 2024).Captain Finley was nominated for the award by the Government of the Cook Islands. As a delegate to IMO, representing Panama and latterly the Cook Islands, he has been an active participant in the development of virtually all safety…

The Technical Cooperation Committee held its 74th session at IMO Headquarters in London from Junw 24 to 28 and made progress on the IMO Capacity-Development Strategy for providing technical support for Member States. The Committee approved a new title (IMO Capacity-Development Strategy) and structure for the document. The draft revised comprehensive strategy combines the existing Capacity-Building Decade 2021-2030 Strategy, with both the strategy for the long-term financing of…

A streamlined strategy outlining IMO’s goals and plans for capacity building, resource mobilization and partnerships will be a key focus as IMO’s Technical Cooperation Committee (TCC) meets this week (June 24-28) in London.TCC oversees IMO’s capacity-development program and the implementation of projects aligned with the Strategic Directions of IMO and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Opening the meeting on Monday, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez…

The Maritime Safety Committee of the IMO met for its 108th session at IMO Headquarters in London from May 15 to 24, and its outcomes included revising the roadmap for the development of a code to regulate autonomous ships (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships - MASS).The Committee approved the report of the third session of the Joint MSC-LEG-FAL Working Group on MASS (MASS-JWG 3) and noted the significant progress made to date to develop the draft MASS Code, including the restructuring of chapters and refining the draft provisions.

Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s Acting Minister for Transport, announced a record year in 2023 at a Singapore Maritime Foundation New Year Conversations event.The annual vessel arrival tonnage in the Port of Singapore crossed three billion gross tonnage (GT) for the first time, increasing by 9.4% over 2022 and setting a high of 3.09 billion GT in 2023. This reflects growth in all segments, including container ships, dry bulk carriers, liquid bulk and chemical tankers, ferries and specialised vessels…

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the IMO, addressed the United Nations Security Council at its 9,525th meeting reiterating his condemnation of the attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea.“Attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea area are not acceptable,” he said. “Ships must be allowed to trade worldwide unhindered and in accordance with international law.”Since the beginning of November, a number of attacks have been launched against international vessels navigating in the Red Sea which hosts around 15% of international shipping trade.

An Iranian fishing vessel, Almeraj 1, was reportedly hijacked by Somali pirates in November 2023. According to media reports, the pirates demanded US$400,000 in ransom and threatened to use the Iranian ship for additional hijackings if the payment was not made.Two days later, other Somali pirates hijacked a tanker, Central Park, off the Yemeni coast. The tanker sent a distress signal during the attack. Forces from a nearby American warship captured the pirates as they tried to…

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat business, won the 2023 International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) Award for Innovation and Technology in Maritime Search and Rescue after a highly respected judging panel led by former IMRF Chair Michael Vlasto selected its entry from a shortlist of 10 individuals and organisations.Acknowledging “volunteer and professional search-and-rescue (SAR) personnel from around the world”, the prestigious award highlights “those who have shown excellence in their field…

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry are co-leading an international initiative to accelerate reduction of emissions from the shipping sector, and on December 1, during COP28, they chaired a new round of announcements under that initiative, the Green Shipping Challenge.Various countries and organizations proposed measures to reduce emissions from shipping. This year’s announcements include:• Amazon: Amazon and other…

The IMO and the Republic of Korea have signed a suite of agreements to formally establish and boost the IMO-Republic of Korea Sustainable Maritime Transport Cooperation (SMART-C) program.The goal of the KRW 25.5 billion (approximately $20 million) SMART-C program is to promote sustainable maritime transport systems and a sustainable marine environment by building knowledge and developing technical capacity in developing countries via long-term thematic projects.This Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding will ensure long-term programming of several technical cooperation projects.