How the IMO is meeting the challenges of dealing with maritime safety and security – an overview Neil Frank R. Ferrer Ocean Concerns Office Department of Foreign Affairs Philippines 2010 Year of the Seafarer Forum 26 June 2010, Manila, Philippines

Preliminary remarks The role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – development of comprehensive regulatory framework for international shipping The role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – development of comprehensive regulatory framework for international shipping Pillars of international maritime regulation: SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW (plus ILO’s new International Maritime Labour Convention) Pillars of international maritime regulation: SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW (plus ILO’s new International Maritime Labour Convention) Jurisdiction of flag/port State Jurisdiction of flag/port State

Preliminary remarks Work of the Maritime Safety Committee Work of the Maritime Safety Committee –Proactive approach –Highest practicable standards –Wide acceptance –Proper and effective implementation –Consideration of capacity building –Consensus decision-making

Preliminary remarks Cooperation with other international organizations – e.g. ILO, IHO, ITU, ICAO, IMSO Cooperation with other international organizations – e.g. ILO, IHO, ITU, ICAO, IMSO Participation of the industry and non- governmental organizations Participation of the industry and non- governmental organizations Success of IMO regulations – decline of ship losses and oil spills for the past four decades Success of IMO regulations – decline of ship losses and oil spills for the past four decades

Backdrop – Global economic slowdown in 2009 Contraction of world trade (about 10 percent) Contraction of world trade (about 10 percent) Low demand, excess tonnage – dramatic collapse in freight rates; drop in ship values Low demand, excess tonnage – dramatic collapse in freight rates; drop in ship values All sectors affected – containerships, bulk carriers, tankers All sectors affected – containerships, bulk carriers, tankers

Backdrop – Global economic slowdown in 2009 Containerships have lost about USD20 billion Containerships have lost about USD20 billion Expected economic recovery from 2010 Expected economic recovery from 2010 Maritime safety and security should not be sacrificed Maritime safety and security should not be sacrificed

MSC 87 – major outcomes Adoption of amendments to SOLAS and mandatory Codes Adoption of amendments to SOLAS and mandatory Codes Measures to enhance maritime security Measures to enhance maritime security Goal-based new ship construction standards Goal-based new ship construction standards Long-range identification and tracking of ships Long-range identification and tracking of ships Various decisions in relation to Sub- Committees’ reports Various decisions in relation to Sub- Committees’ reports

MSC 87 – major outcomes Role of the human element Role of the human element Formal safety assessment Formal safety assessment Piracy and armed robbery against ships Piracy and armed robbery against ships Work programme – endorsement of unplanned outputs Work programme – endorsement of unplanned outputs IMO/IACS Quality System Certification Scheme IMO/IACS Quality System Certification Scheme

Goal-based standards (GBS) Adoption of GBS for the construction of bulk carriers and oil tankers and SOLAS amendments to make GBS mandatory Adoption of GBS for the construction of bulk carriers and oil tankers and SOLAS amendments to make GBS mandatory GBS Verification Guidelines GBS Verification Guidelines Guidelines for information to be included in a Ship Construction File Guidelines for information to be included in a Ship Construction File GBS Trust Fund GBS Trust Fund

Goal-based standards (GBS) Implementation of the verification scheme Implementation of the verification scheme Timetable for implementation Timetable for implementation Generic GBS Guidelines Generic GBS Guidelines

2010: Year of the seafarer Comprehensive revisions to the STCW Convention and Code Comprehensive revisions to the STCW Convention and Code Go to sea campaign Go to sea campaign Shore leave for seafarers Shore leave for seafarers Incorporation of human element principles into the Committee’s Guidelines Incorporation of human element principles into the Committee’s Guidelines Post-piracy care of seafarers Post-piracy care of seafarers

Piracy and armed robbery against ships Revised Guidance for Governments and industry Revised Guidance for Governments and industry Revised Code of practice for investigation Revised Code of practice for investigation Promulgation of BMP and IRTC Promulgation of BMP and IRTC Djibouti Code of Conduct Djibouti Code of Conduct International cooperation – UNSC, CGPCS International cooperation – UNSC, CGPCS

Long-range identification and tracking of ships (LRIT) Completion of the LRIT system – need to accelerate the establishment of LRIT data centres Completion of the LRIT system – need to accelerate the establishment of LRIT data centres Establishment of the International LRIT data exchange Establishment of the International LRIT data exchange Establishment of a distribution facility for the provision of LRIT information to security forces in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean Establishment of a distribution facility for the provision of LRIT information to security forces in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean

Concluding notes IMO’s continuing relevance; growth in membership IMO’s continuing relevance; growth in membership Strong commitment and active participation of Member States Strong commitment and active participation of Member States Challenges remain; need to maintain effective and consistent global regulations (as opposed to unilateral or regional measures) Challenges remain; need to maintain effective and consistent global regulations (as opposed to unilateral or regional measures)

Concluding notes IMO Member State Audit Scheme IMO Member State Audit Scheme Ensure effective application/enforcement of IMO regulations Ensure effective application/enforcement of IMO regulations Ratification of key IMO Conventions Ratification of key IMO Conventions Marine casualty investigations Marine casualty investigations Cooperation at various levels: sharing best practices/lessons learned; information exchanges Cooperation at various levels: sharing best practices/lessons learned; information exchanges

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