At the 32nd session of the IMO Assembly (A 32) from December 6 to December 15, 2021, the Assembly adopted a resolution on comprehensive action to address seafarers’ challenges, during the COVID-19 pandemic, consolidating issues related to crew change, access to medical care, ‘key worker’ designation and seafarers' prioritisation for COVID-19 vaccination.
The resolution urges IMO Member States to:
- Designate seafarers as ‘key workers’, in order to facilitate shore leave and safe and unhindered movement across borders, and recognise their relevant documentation for this purpose.
- Consider the implementation of the industry recommended framework of protocols for ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel, during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
- Prioritise vaccination of seafarers, as far as practicable, in their national COVID-19 vaccination programmes.
- Consider exempting seafarers from any national policy requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination, as a condition for entry, taking into account that seafarers should be designated as ‘key workers’ and that they travel across borders frequently.
- Provide seafarers with immediate access to medical care and facilitate medical evacuation of seafarers, in need of urgent medical attention, when the required medical care cannot be provided, either onboard or in the port of call.
IMO Council for 2022-2023 elected
The Assembly also adopted the work programme and budget of the organisation, elected the IMO Council for 2022-2023, and adopted a number of important resolutions, including those covering prevention and suppression of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, capacity building, fishing vessel safety and prevention of fraudulent registries and other fraudulent acts.
- Prevention and suppression of piracy and armed robbery against ships and illicit activity in the Gulf of Guinea.
The IMO’s Assembly adopted an updated resolution on prevention and suppression of piracy and armed robbery against ships, and illicit activity in the Gulf of Guinea (to update IMO Assembly resolution A.1069 (28)).
The resolution acknowledges the serious safety and security concerns of the industry, and the seafaring community, as a result of the attacks against ships, which are sailing in the Gulf of Guinea region and the grave danger to life and serious risks to navigational safety and the environment that attacks by pirates, armed robbers and other criminals pose.
Inter-governmental cooperation to improve maritime safety
Governments are urged to assist states to build capacity to interdict and bring to justice those who commit crimes
Acknowledging the efforts made by countries in the region, as well as other entities, the resolution urges governments to cooperate with and assist Member States in the Gulf of Guinea, in order to develop their national and regional capabilities, to improve maritime governance in waters, under their jurisdiction, to prevent piracy, armed robbery against ships and other illicit maritime activities, in accordance with international law, in particular UNCLOS.
Governments are urged to assist states to build capacity to interdict and bring to justice those who commit crimes.
Such assistance might include strengthening of the legal frameworks, including anti-piracy laws and enforcement regulations, the training of national maritime law enforcement agencies, promoting anti-piracy and law enforcement coordination and cooperation procedures between and among states, regions, organisations and industry; and the sharing of information
- Entry into force and implementation of the 2012 Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety.
2012 Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety
The adopted resolution urges governments that have not yet become parties to the 2012 Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety, to consider doing so by October 11, 2022, the tenth anniversary of the Agreement’s adoption. The date reflects the commitment by Member States, which signed a declaration at the 2019 Torremolinos Conference.
The resolution recognises the efforts and contributions made by Member States, FAO, ILO and The Pew Charitable Trusts to support the regional and national seminars and webinars, which have been held in all regions of the globe since 2014, on the implementation and ratification of the Agreement, including webinars held during 2020-2021.
- The capacity-building decade 2021-2030
The Assembly adopted a resolution setting out the organisation’s aims and ambitions related to capacity building, during the current decade, adopting the Capacity-Building Decade 2021-2030 Strategy. The strategy aims to support Member States in the adoption, implementation and enhancement of compliance with IMO instruments.
Capacity-Building Decade 2021-2030 Strategy
The strategy will address the needs of Member States, including issues identified through the IMSAS
The strategy will address the needs of Member States, including issues identified through the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) and achieve the maritime aspects of the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through a focus on supporting the development and implementation of robust national maritime policies, and strategies predicated on harnessing the full potential of the maritime economies.
The strategy includes mission statement, vision statement, overarching principles for the Capacity-Building Decade 2021-2030 Strategy, and four work streams, setting out the areas of particular strategic focus for the period 2021 to 2030: 1) To reform and streamline IMO’s internal organisation for delivery of technical assistance, 2) To support Member States in maritime development, 3) To enhance the Regional Presence Office (RPO) Scheme, and 4) To strengthen the global training and development network.
- Prevention and suppression of fraudulent registration and fraudulent registries and other fraudulent acts in the maritime sector
Resolution aimed at preventing all forms of maritime fraud
The adopted resolution encourages governments to review the provisions in their national law relating to the prevention and suppression of all forms of maritime fraud, and to make such additions or improvements, regarding, inter alia, the exercise of due diligence, as may be necessary for the prevention and suppression of such acts and practices, and for safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders concerned.
Governments are urged to take all possible measures of cooperation with each other and with relevant inter-governmental organisations and maritime stakeholders, in order to maintain and develop coordinated actions in all relevant areas, to combat maritime fraud, including the exchange of information and reporting the names of ships, and registries involved in fraudulent acts.
The resolution urges Governments, the IMO Secretary-General, port State control authorities, vessel owners and operators, non-governmental organisations, the private sector including the maritime insurance industry, ship brokers and other relevant maritime stakeholders, to develop workshops that will focus on enhancing capabilities and due diligence practices for the prevention, detection and reporting of fraudulent registration documentation.
- Strategic plan updated to include human element strategic direction
The Assembly updated the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan for the Organisation, to include a new strategic direction (SD) on the human element.
2018-2023 Strategic Plan for the Organisation
The strategic plan now includes eight strategic directions: SD 1 Improve implementation; SD 2 Integrate new and advancing technologies in the regulatory framework; SD 3 Respond to climate change; SD 4 Engage in ocean governance; SD 5 Enhance global facilitation and security of international trade; SD 6 Ensure regulatory effectiveness; SD 7 Ensure organisational effectiveness; SD 8 Human element.
IMO will build on work already completed to address the human element"
The strategic direction on the human element states, “In its role as the global regulator of shipping, IMO will build on work already completed to address the human element and will take the human element into account in the review, development and implementation of new and existing requirements. This includes the provision of machinery for cooperation among governments, on practices concerning the human element in the maritime sector.
Addressing human element-related issues
The statement adds, “To address human element-related issues, the IMO will develop or amend provisions, including but not limited to - training, certification and watch-keeping, including consideration of new technologies, human-centered design, safe manning, drills and exercises, fatigue management, operational safety, security, and environmental protection, and fair treatment of seafarers, taking into account the important role of gender equality.”
The inclusion of the human element, as a specific strategic direction, recognises its significance, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the human element has been a focus for joint work with UN sister organisations, in particular ILO, ICAO and WHO, industry associations and social partners.
International Day for Women in Maritime
The Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming an International Day for Women in Maritime, to be observed on 18 May every year. The observance will celebrate women in the industry and is intended to promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the maritime sector, raise the profile of women in maritime, strengthen IMO’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender equality) and support work, to address the current gender imbalance in maritime.
The resolution invites IMO Member States, the maritime industry, and all others in the maritime endeavour, to promote and celebrate the International Day for Women in Maritime, in an appropriate and meaningful manner. The Assembly adopted the IMO’s budget and work programme for 2022 and 2023. The IMO Council has already approved a regular budget outline for the 2022-2023 biennium of £75,671,000, comprising an appropriation of £37,350,000 for 2022 and an appropriation of £38,321,000 for 2023.
Election of IMO Council
The Assembly elected the 40 members of its council for the 2022-2023 biennium
IMO Council elected for the 2022-2023 year. The Assembly elected the 40 members of its council for the 2022-2023 biennium.
The newly-elected IMO Council met for its 126th session on December 16, 2021. It elected Víctor Jiménez of Spain as Chair, and Amane Fathallah of Morocco as Vice-Chair.
Adoption of amendments to the IMO Convention
The Assembly adopted amendments to the IMO Convention, in order to expand the size of the IMO Council to 52 Member States, from the earlier 40, and extend the term of its members. Until the amendments enter into force, the current structure will remain unchanged.
The amendments require acceptance by two thirds of the IMO Membership, or 117 Member States, based on the current membership of 175 Member States for entry into force.
The Assembly adopted a resolution urging the members of the organisation to accept the amendments as soon as possible, with the goal of entry into force of these amendments by 2025.
Guidance on Article 17 of the IMO Convention
The Assembly adopted guidance on consistent application of Article 17 of the IMO Convention. Article 17 covers the election of members of the IMO Council; specifically that election under category (c) should ensure a wide geographic representation.
The guidance aims to facilitate compliance with the criteria in Article 17 of the IMO Convention, in particular the special interests in maritime transport or navigation; and to better reflect geographical distribution and representation, including Small Island developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs).
Full list of Assembly resolutions adopted:
- 1148 (32) Results-based budget for the 2022-2023 biennium,
- 1149 (32) Revised strategic plan for the organisation for the six-year period 2018 to 2023,
- 1150 (32) Arrears of contribution,
- 1151 (32) Presentation of audited financial statements and report of the external auditors,
- 1152 (32) Amendments to the Convention on the International Maritime Organization,
- 1153 (32) Guidance on consistent application of Article 17 of the IMO Convention [item 9(b)],
- 1154 (32) Revised Rules of Procedure of the Assembly,
- 1155 (32) Procedures for Port State Control, 2021,
- 1156 (32) Survey guidelines under the Harmonised System of Survey and Certification (HSSC), 2021,
- 1157 (32) 2021 Non-exhaustive list of obligations under instruments relevant to the IMO Instruments Implementation Code (III CODE),
- 1158 (32) Guidelines for Vessel Traffic Services,
- 1159 (32) Prevention and suppression of piracy, armed robbery against ships and illicit maritime activity in the Gulf of Guinea,
- 1160 (32) Comprehensive action to address seafarersʹ challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic,
- 1161 (32) Entry into force and implementation of the 2012 Cape Town Agreement,
- 1162 (32) Encouragement of Member States and all relevant stakeholders to promote actions for the prevention and suppression of fraudulent registration and fraudulent registries and other fraudulent acts in the maritime sector,
- 1163 (32) Interpretation of Article 4 of the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976, adopted by the States Parties to the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976, present at the Thirty-Second session of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization,
- 1164 (32) Interpretation of Article 4 of the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976, adopted by the States Parties to the Protocol of 1996 to amend the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976, present at the 32nd session of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization,
- 1165 (32) Interpretation of Article 6 of the Protocol of 1992 to amend the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969 amending Article v(2) of the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage,, 1969, adopted by the States Parties to the Protocol of 1992 to amend the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage,, 1969, present at the Thirty-Second session of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization,
- 1166 (32) The capacity-building decade 2021-2030 strategy,
- 1167 (32) Revised financing and partnership arrangements for an effective and sustainable Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme,
- 1168 (32) Relations with Intergovernmental Organisations,
- 1169 (32) Relations with Non-Governmental Organisations,
- 1170 (32) International Day for Women in Maritime,
- 1171 (32) Revision of the IMO’s financial regulations, and
- 1172 (32) Urging Member States to accept the Amendments to the IMO Convention.