International Maritime Organization News

The urgent need to protect the world’s oceans and the habitats within them is, nowadays, well understood. So, too, is the need for a sustainable shipping industry to ensure the essential transportation of goods and commodities across the globe, and of passengers. Hundreds of thousands of seafarers bear witness every day to changes in the marine environment due to human activity – including from shipping. Seafarers’ contribution in marine environment security Seafarers’...

Nor-Shipping 2023 proved to be one of those 'you had to be there' moments. From the second the bell rang at Oslo Stock Exchange on Monday morning, announcing the beginning of 2023's packed programme, through to the final delegates leaving the Lillestrøm exhibition centre on Friday afternoon, Nor-Shipping 2023 delivered on every expectation. A record turnout at the exhibition, big names at the conferences, and a social scene that basked in unbroken sunshine created, in the words...

Anemoi Marine Technologies, a UK-based developer of Rotor Sails for the global shipping industry, is enhancing its efforts to provide its award-winning Rotor Sail technology for ship owners, managers, and charterers to install onboard vessels as they look to decarbonise their operations. The company will be showcasing these solutions at Nor-Shipping 2023, a prominent international maritime event held from 6 June - 9 June, 2023 at NOVA Spektrum, Lillestrøm, Norway. Attendees are invi...

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has agreed to undertake technical studies on an ammonia fuel supply system for large, low-speed two-stroke marine engines under development by Winterthur Gas & Diesel AG (WinGD), a Swiss designer of large marine engines. The signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) was held at WinGD Headquarters in Switzerland on June 2. Maritime system integrator WinGD is currently developing ammonia-f...

The official opening of Nor-Shipping 2023 took place with a high-profile event at Oslo City Hall, a special bell-ringing ceremony at the Oslo stock exchange, a UN Global Compact high-level meeting, and a range of other partner and networking activities. Nor-Shipping’s main exhibition, gathering almost 1000 international exhibitors and tens of thousands of delegates, kicks off in Lillestrøm on June 6, 2023, with organisers believing this will be 'the biggest and best Nor-Shipping we...

Hempel has announced joining the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Global Industry Alliance (GIA) for Marine Biosafety to work with industry to support shipping’s emissions reduction pathway and to mitigate against the spread of invasive species. World-renowned coatings company, Hempel A/S, has increased its commitment to supporting the maritime industry’s shift to ever more sustainable operations by joining the Global Industry Alliance (GIA) for Marine Biosafety. H...

International Maritime Organization (IMO) has welcomed the landmark agreement on a new oceans treaty to protect marine biodiversity on the high seas. IMO Secretary-General - Kitack Lim says landmark treaty will reinforce efforts to protect biodiversity The new legally binding international instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction – known as 'BBNJ' was agreed  on 4 March, 2023, following conclusion of the f...

Following a competitive selection process, Professor Max Mejia has been selected by the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Chancellor of the university, to succeed Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry as the new President of the World Maritime University (WMU), based in Malmö, Sweden. It is expected that Professor Mejia will take over the president's role on 29 June 2023, when Dr. Doumbia-Henry's term expires. World Maritime University (WMU) The World Maritime Univers...

The Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has provided technical support to Instituto Marito e Portuaruo IMAP in São Tomé and Príncipe. The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, while making the presentation at an event in São Tomé, with the Nigerian Ambassador to São Tomé, Ambassador - Gambo Hamza in attendance, noted that the Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to regional maritime deve...

The decarbonisation of international shipping is a priority for IMO and by mid-2023, the organisation aims to have in place a revised and strengthened Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships. Low- and zero-carbon ship technology assessment A new IMO project aims to provide an assessment of the state of availability and readiness of low- and zero-carbon ship technology and marine fuels, in order to help inform Member States as they work towards the revision of the IMO GHG Strategy...

The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) decision to ambitiously cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in half by 2050 is at the top of shipping companies’ agendas. To ensure that ships contribute as little as possible to GHG emissions, all stakeholders must use cutting-edge technology. This offers a closer look at the technologies that are available for regulatory compliance and energy efficiency improvement. Air Lubrication System The air lubrication system creates a carpet...

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 79) of the International Maritime organization (IMO) has made progress towards revising the Initial IMO GHG Strategy, working towards adopting a strengthened revised Strategy in mid-2023 at MEPC 80. "I note and welcome the progress made on these matters. It cannot be stressed enough how crucial it is that we keep the momentum and deliver an ambitious and fair, revised IMO GHG Strategy at MEPC 80 next year," said IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim,...

The conclusion of a successful five-year initiative to protect the marine environment in South-East Asia from the negative effects of ships and shipping has been marked at a high-level meeting (25-27 October) in Viet Nam with the adoption of a MEPSEAS-Halong Statement by the participating countries.   The Marine Environment Protection of the South-East Asian Seas (MEPSEAS) project has seen seven partner countries - Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Na...

Vallianz Holdings, an established provider of offshore marine and engineering solutions for the global energy industry, is accelerating the digitalisation of its fleet of offshore support vessels (OSV) with a comprehensive package of connectivity services from Inmarsat, the internationally renowned company in global, mobile satellite communications. With its headquarters in Singapore, Vallianz operates an OSV fleet worldwide that will benefit from industry-renowned connectivity through Inmarsar...

A new mandatory safety code for ships carrying industrial personnel – aimed at ensuring the safety of people transported to work on offshore facilities including wind farms – has been adopted by IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 106), which met from November 2 to November 11, 2022. The new Chapter XV of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the associated new International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code) were devel...

The World Maritime Day Parallel Event (WMDPE) has opened in Durban, South Africa (12 to 14 October 2022). In his opening speech, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said: "After a two-year pause in parallel events due to the pandemic, it is an enormous pleasure to be able to welcome you all here to Durban for the 2022 World Maritime Day Parallel Event.” “The Parallel Event was instituted to provide an opportunity to take the World Maritime theme "on the road" and it is undoubtedly one...

Parties to the treaties which regulate the dumping of wastes at sea have adopted a statement identifying the need to carefully evaluate marine geoengineering techniques, which may have potential for mitigating the effects of climate change but may have adverse impacts on the marine environment. The statement identifies four techniques which need priority evaluation, involving either carbon dioxide removal (CDR) or solar radiation modification (SRM). The statement was adopted by the 44th Consul...

Parties to the treaties which regulate the dumping of wastes at sea have adopted an amendment to ensure that the dumping of sewage sludge at sea would be prohibited worldwide. The amendment to the London Protocol will remove sewage sludge from the list of permissible wastes - wastes which may be considered for dumping at sea. The amendment was adopted by the 44th Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Convention and the 17th Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Protoc...

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has signed a partnership agreement with the Commonwealth Secretariat, under which both organisations commit to strengthening the maritime and port sectors in selected developing countries, through activities which will promote and facilitate the adoption of sustainable maritime transport systems and practices. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday (29 September, 2022) by IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim...

The International Maritime Organization is shining a spotlight on the role of emerging technologies to support a green transition of the maritime sector into a sustainable future. During the World Maritime Day 2022, on 29 September, celebrations will focus on the theme of 'New technologies for greener shipping', providing a platform to showcase inclusive maritime innovation, research and development, and the demonstration and deployment of new technologies. Authority comment In his message on...

30 shipping banks and 17 marine insurance providers and brokers announce that the Poseidon Principles will add additional trajectories to report climate alignment with a 1.5C future. This new commitment will align the Poseidon Principles with the ambition of the UN and the latest available climate science. Emissions reduction trajectory The Poseidon Principles have committed to adopting an emissions reduction trajectory in line with net-zero commitments, as soon as such a trajectory or trajec...

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has highlighted the significant progress on the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the critical role of seafarers in delivering global trade, during a visit to Odesa, Ukraine. In Odesa, on Monday (29 August), Secretary-General Lim was able to gain first-hand experience of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and hear how ship safety and port management is being implemented. Maritime humanitarian corridor "I appreciate the UN and all other stakehold...

Becker Marine Systems is perfectly positioned to present itself at SMM 2018, the international trade fair for the maritime industry. With its versatile high-performance rudders and efficient energy-saving products such as the Becker Mewis Duct, the Hamburg-based company is managing to convince more and more customers of its innovative products. Additionally, with innovative product developments such as the Becker LNG PowerPac, Becker Marine Systems is continuing to down the path of a more susta...

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim on Friday (22 July) welcomed the signing of an agreement between, the Russian Federation, Türkiye, Ukraine, and the United Nations to establish a humanitarian maritime corridor to allow ships to export critical cargoes of grain and foodstuffs from Ukraine. The agreement was signed in Istanbul, Türkiye after several weeks of talks. IMO participated as part of the UN delegation. Much-needed grain Mr. Lim attended the signing ceremony in Istanbul. "I am...

Thirty women from maritime administrations across the globe have completed the first-ever Leadership Accelerator Programme (LEAP) run by Maritime SheEO, designed to equip women with leadership skills and the confidence to progress in their careers. A virtual graduation ceremony for participants was held on 30 June 2022. The programme, which ran over eight weeks, was announced in November 2020 and launched on International Women's Day in March 2022. It was part of the IMO's Women in Maritime pro...

International Maritime Organization (IMO) representatives at the United Nations Ocean Conference 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal (from June 27 to July 1, 2022) have highlighted the IMO’s ongoing commitment to preserving the world’s ocean and combating climate change. IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim emphasized shipping’s truly international nature. He said, “The ocean truly sustains us all, and the maritime sector connects us all. A greener, resilient maritime sector is essenti...

Seafarers are sharing their maritime voyages across social media to mark the Day of the Seafarer 2022.  The maritime world is changing, fast. Ships are now operating greener, with greater digitisation and with more diverse crews. As the lifeblood of the shipping industry, seafarers are at the heart of this evolution, implementing new regulations, learning new skills and adopting safer, more efficient working practices. As the world’s merchant fleet traverses the oceans, the crews onboard...

Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) and its subsidiary - Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have received an Approval in Principle (AiP) from DNV for their newly developed waste heat-derived LNG fuel supply system - Hi-eGAS (Hyundai High Efficient Gas Supply System) for 300K VLCC. Currently, LNG fuel propulsion ships have used boilers to make hot steam, which has converted LNG into a gas at room temperature, to supply a ship’s engine. However, this process has the disadvantag...

Ship charterers and operators representing over 15% of total bulk cargo transported by sea in 2021 deliver on their commitment to the Sea Cargo Charter, a global framework for aligning ship chartering activities with society’s goals. Signatories to the Sea Cargo Charter commit to measuring and publicly disclosing the alignment of their chartering activities with the ambition to reduce total GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 50% by 2050, as set out by the International...

IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee progresses work on GHG reduction; approves the Mediterranean Sea emission control area. IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee has reiterated its commitment to review and strengthen the IMO Initial Strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions from shipping, to adopt a revised strategy in mid-2023. MEPC 78 session The MEPC 78 session (6-10 June) made further progress with the discussions towards the revision of the Initial GHG Strategy, as initi...