Tag: IMO

New IMO meeting will decide if the weighing of packed shipping containers will be made mandatory

IMO s Contribution Beyond Rio+20

Both shipping and ports considered as interlocking components, IMO SG at OECD Port Cities Conference

Sulphur emissions on the agenda at IMO London event Governments and industry representatives met in London on 10 September 2013 to discuss the future availability of low-sulphur fuel which will drive down pollution from shipping. The requirements of MARPOL Annex VI for low sulphur fuel were the main theme of the event hosted by U.K. shipping minister Stephen Hammond MP and IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu at the IMO headquarters as part of the London International Shipping Week.In 2008 the UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed measures to limit polluting sulphur emissions from shipping.The sulphur limit for fuel used in seas other than specially designated emission control areas, which have stricter limits, is currently 3.50%, and will be reduced to 0.50% from 1 January 2020 - subject to a review of the availability of 0.50% sulphur fuel.According toUK Department of Transport representatives of maritime nations and international industry associations attended the event at which the hosts stressed the importance of dispelling the uncertainty which surrounds the start date for the review and highlighted a way forward.Mr Sekimizu saidhis comments are directly related to the theme of this year, sustainable development and sustainability of shipping. "The revised Annex VI of the MARPOL ...

Progress on safety of navigation in the IMO: E-navigation and standard for AIS symbols

World Maritime Day 2013

59th Session from 2 to 6 September 2013 The IMO's Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation (NAV) held its 59th, and final, session from 2 to 6 September 2013 under the Chairmanship of Mr JM Sollosi (USA) and his Vice-Chairman Mr K Billiar (Ukraine). Under the revised sub-committee structure, NAV will amalgamate with 'Communications' and 'Search and Rescue' (formerly COMSAR) to form a new sub-committee (NCSR) which will hold its first meeting from 30 June through 4 July 2014.Following a welcoming address by the Secretary General of IMO in which he described his recent Arctic trip on a Russian Ice-breaker, he concluded that a Northern Sea Route is now indeed a reality hence demonstrating the need for a Polar Code. He further stated that ECDIS should be top of the NAVs priority list and seek to close gaps in coverage.Working and Drafting Groups were formed and chaired as follows:WG1 Routeing of Ships, Ship Reporting and Related Matters, Mr K Billiar (Ukraine)WG2 (Technical) Navigational Aids and Related Matters, Mr K Fisher (UK)DG1 Development of Policy and New Symbols for AIS Aids to Navigation, Mr J Arroyo (USA)DG2 Revision of the Information contained in the existing Annexes to the Recommendation on the use ...

Shipping industry urges IMO to require weight verification Misdeclared container cargo weights have been a long-standing problem for the transportation industry and for governments. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has recognized and been discussing the problem of incorrect container weights for over six years. Given this lengthy time, the industry organisations BIMCO, IAPH, ICS and WSC have joined forces once more to urge IMO to solve the problem by adopting an appropriate resolution during its next meeting in mid-September.These organisations have joined together in an effort to encourage the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to amend the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) to incorporate a condition for verifying weights of loaded containers. The International Association of Port and Harbors (IAPH), World Shipping Council (WSC), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and BIMCO have consultative status on this issue at the IMO.According to a statement issued by BIMCO, IAPH, ICS and the World Shipping Counci lthe problem is significant and arises in almost every trade. Misdeclared container weights present safety hazards for ships, their crews, other cargo on board, workers in the port facilities handling containers, and on roads. Incorrectly declared weights lead to incorrect ship stowage and accidents. Misdeclared ...

The Online Magazine of the International Maritime Organization

AMSA Marine Notice 14/2013 The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a Marine Notice 14/2013 regarding adequate waste reception facilities. Ships should make waste reception arrangements at least 24 hours in advance of arrival and should also report instances when adequate waste reception facilities are not available.The provision of adequate port waste reception facilities for ships' waste is vital to preventing marine pollution. As a Party to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), Australia must ensure that reception facilities are available in ports and terminals adequate to the needs of ships using them for oily waste, residues of noxious liquid substances, sewage, garbage, exhaust gas cleaning residues and ozone depleting substances.Arranging for waste receptionInformation on arranging for waste reception may be accessed online at www.amsa.gov.au/environment/legislation-and-prevention/waste-reception-facilities/index.asp Links to waste reception contact points for Australian ports can also be accessed on this webpage, or accessed directly through the Port Reception Facilities database within IMO's Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) http://gisis.imo.org/Public/Ships' crews and agents are encouraged to make waste reception arrangements where possible at least 24 hours in advance of the ship's arrival in port, although specific requirements may vary. The IMO has developed a standard ...