6

NEWS

New global project to address

bio-invasions via ships’ hulls

NEWS
The magazine of the International Maritime Organization
AUTUMN 2017

12

MEETINGS

Cyber-security guidelines
on the agenda

10

FEATURE

2017 Day of the Seafarer –

“Seafarers Matter” every day

18

FEATURE

World Maritime Day 2017

“Connecting Ships,
Ports and People”
 IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017

2 www.imo.org
IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017 CONTENTS

OPINION

5 World Maritime Day –

What our 2017 theme really means
NEWS
FROM THE MEETINGS

6 New global project to address

bio-invasions via ships’ hulls 12 Maritime Safety
Committee
6 Global Industry Alliance launched
to support low-carbon shipping 24 Marine Environment
Protection Committee
7 International Maritime Prize for
2016 goes to Koji Sekimizu, 28 Technical Cooperation
Committee
former IMO Secretary-General

8 Flame-defying maritime
pilots recognized with IMO
bravery accolade

FEATURE

10 Seafarers Matter every day –

but especially on June 25!

IMO AT WORK

31-34 News and stories from

around the world on IMO’s
FEATURE

work to promote safe,

secure and sustainable 28 World Maritime Day 2017–
“Connecting Ships, Ports
shipping on clean oceans
and People”

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A message
IMO from IMO
NEWS • AUTUMN Secretary-General Kitack Lim
2017
World Maritime Day 2017:
What our 2017 theme really means
O ur World Maritime Day theme for this year is “Connecting
Ships, Ports and People”. It enables us to shine a
spotlight on the cooperation between ports and ships to
maintain and enhance a safe, secure and efficient maritime
transportation system – for the benefit of people everywhere.
The benefits of a free and efficient flow of goods and
trade extend far beyond the ships and ports themselves. An
effective interface between them can improve the lives of
people everywhere, especially in the context of the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
IMO’s role as the global regulator of the shipping industry
can enhance this integration – as consistent, uniform regulation
facilitates the free flow of commerce.
Last year, 2016, the theme was “Shipping: indispensable
to the world”. It was chosen to focus on the critical link
between shipping and the everyday lives of people all over the
planet, and to raise awareness of the role of IMO as the global
regulatory body for international shipping.
“Connecting Ships, Ports and People” builds on the
2016 theme. It focuses on the importance of developing and
implementing maritime strategies in a joined-up approach that
addresses a wide range of issues, including the facilitation of
maritime transport, increasing efficiency, navigational safety,
protection of the marine environment, and maritime security.
It encourages stakeholders to promote best practices and
to build bridges between the many diverse actors involved in
these areas.
www.imo.org
OPINION
IMO AT WORK
The World Maritime Day themes for 2016 and 2017 are
complementary and may be seen as a response to the United
Nations’ post-2015 sustainable development agenda and, in
particular, the SDGs.
By promoting trade by sea, nurturing national shipping
lines and promoting seafaring as a career; by improving port
infrastructure and efficiency; by developing and strengthening
inter-modal links and hinterland connections; by managing and
protecting fisheries, exploring offshore energy production and
even by fostering tourism – maritime activity can both drive and
support a growing economy.
Improved economic development, supported by sustainable
maritime development and underpinned by good maritime
security, will support the Post-2015 Development Agenda and
complement United Nations initiatives by addressing some of
the factors that lead to instability, insecurity and uncontrolled
mixed migration.
The 2017 theme was chosen to focus on the many diverse
actors involved in the shipping and logistics areas.
The maritime sector, which includes shipping, ports and the
people that operate them, can and should play a significant
role helping to create conditions for increased employment,
prosperity and stability ashore through promoting trade by sea;
enhancing the port and maritime sector as wealth creators both
on land and, through developing a sustainable blue economy,
at sea.
A port sector able to streamline procedures and remove
excessive barriers to trade, to embrace new technologies, to
root out corruption and to treat safety, security and reputation
as both desirable and marketable, will be a major driver
towards stability and sustainable development.
Ultimately, more efficient shipping, working in partnership
with a port sector supported by governments, will be a major
driver towards global stability and sustainable development for
the good of all people.
This year, with our theme of “Connecting Ships, Ports and
People” we aim to make a strong contribution towards these
objectives – and I hope that you will join us, with your own
activities and initiatives under this World Maritime Day theme
for 2017.
5
 NEWS
New global project to address bio-invasions via ships’ hulls
A new global project to help protect marine
ecosystems from the negative effects of
invasive aquatic species has been given the
go-ahead for preparation.
The GloFouling Partnerships project – a
collaboration between the Global Environment
Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) and the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) – will address the
transfer of aquatic species through biofouling, in
other words, the build-up of aquatic organisms
on a ship’s underwater hull and structures.
The project will focus on the implementation
of the IMO guidelines for the control and
management of ships’ biofouling, which
provide guidance on how biofouling should be
controlled and managed to reduce the transfer
of invasive aquatic species.
Marine bio-invasions are the source of
significant environmental and socioeconomic
impacts that can affect fisheries, mariculture,
coastal infrastructure and other development
efforts, ultimately threatening livelihoods in
coastal communities.
The GloFouling project will build on the
success of the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloBallast
Partnerships project, which worked to build
capacity to implement IMO’s Ballast Water
Management (BWM) Convention. The BWM
treaty addresses the transfer of potentially
invasive aquatic species in the ballast water
of ships.
The new project will build capacity
in developing countries to reduce the
transboundary introduction of biofouling-
mediated invasive aquatic species. Stefan
Micallef, Director, Marine Environment Division,
IMO, said: “IMO has been at the forefront of
Global Industry Alliance launched to support low-carbon shipping
L eading shipowners and operators,
classification societies, engine and
technology builders and suppliers, big data
providers, and oil companies have signed
up to a new Global Industry Alliance (GIA) to
support transitioning shipping and its related
industries towards a low-carbon future.
Thirteen companies have signed up to
launch the GIA, under the auspices of the
GloMEEP Project, a Global Environment
Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development
Program (UNDP)-International Maritime
Organization (IMO) project aimed at
supporting developing countries in the
6 www.imo.org
the international effort to tackle the transfer of
invasive aquatic species by ships. Addressing
ships’ hull fouling is a crucial step to protect
marine biodiversity. The treatment of hulls to
reduce fouling by aquatic organisms has the
additional benefit of reducing greenhouse gas
emissions, since the drag of ships is reduced.”
The GEF, UNDP and IMO collaboration has
already proved to be highly successful through
its 3-tier (“Glo-X”) implementation model for
driving legal, policy and institutional reforms,
delivering capacity-building activities and
encouraging technology-transfer through public-
private partnerships at the global, regional
and national levels. The GloBallast project
completed its work in 2017. The ongoing
GloMEEP project is aimed at supporting the
implementation of energy-efficiency measures
for shipping.
The GloFouling Partnerships project concept
was approved by the GEF Council in May 2017,
with a total funding of US$6.9 million earmarked
for implementation. The project is now going
through a detailed preparation phase to be
resubmitted to the GEF for endorsement before
implementation can commence. The full name
of the new project will be “Building Partnerships
to Assist Developing Countries to Minimize
the Impacts from Aquatic Biofouling”
(GloFouling Partnerships).
The GloFouling project preparation will be
undertaken by the IMO Secretariat, which has
invited interested Member States to inform the
Secretariat of their intention to participate in the
new project as soon as possible.
Andrew Hudson, Head, UNDP Water
& Ocean Governance Programme, said:
“GloFouling Partnerships will be an excellent
implementation of energy-efficiency
measures for shipping.
Together, the GIA partners will collectively
identify and develop innovative solutions
to address common barriers to the uptake
and implementation of energy-efficiency
technologies and operational measures.
Focusing on a number of priority areas
including energy-efficiency technologies
and operational best practices, alternative
fuels, and digitalization, activities likely to
be undertaken or promoted by the Alliance
will include research and development;
showcasing of advances in technology
IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017
Clean hulls can reduce fouling and emissions
opportunity to help tackle one of the key
remaining vectors for the transfer of invasive
aquatic species, which cause sizeable impacts
on economies and livelihoods. GloFouling was
the natural follow up to the GEF-UNDP-IMO
GloBallast Partnerships programme which
recently concluded after delivering a series of
important achievements in reducing the transfer
of harmful aquatic organisms through ships’
ballast water.”
Chris Severin, Senior Environmental
Specialist from the GEF, said: “The
implementation of the GloFouling Partnerships
will be instrumental in battling aquatic invasive
species, and will not only lead to healthier
more robust marine ecosystems, but also
positively impact economic opportunities and
the livelihoods of millions of people across the
globe. I am confident it will be another success
in the fruitful partnership between the GEF,
UNDP and IMO”.
development and positive initiatives by
the maritime sector; industry fora to
encourage a global industry dialogue; and
the implementation of capacity-building and
information-exchange activities.
The GIA was officially inaugurated on
29 June at a launch ceremony held at
IMO headquarters.
In his GIA launch speech, IMO Secretary-
General Kitack Lim said the new alliance
would help shipping to make its contribution
towards greenhouse gas reduction and the
mitigation of climate change, a key target
for the United Nations under its Sustainable
IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017 NEWS

International Maritime Prize for 2016 goes to

Koji Sekimizu, former IMO Secretary-General

T he prestigious International Maritime

Prize for 2016 is to be awarded to former
Secretary General of the IMO, Mr. Koji
Sekimizu, for his contribution to the work of
IMO over many years.
The IMO Council unanimously decided
to award the Prize to Mr. Sekimizu, in
recognition of his invaluable contribution to
the work and objectives of the Organization
and the international maritime community
as a whole. Mr. Sekimizu led a long and
distinguished career with the Organization,
culminating in his four-year stewardship as
Secretary-General from 2012 to 2016.
Mr. Sekimizu joined the IMO Secretariat
in 1989 and worked in both the Maritime
Safety and Marine Environment Divisions,
holding the post of Director for each before
going on to be elected Secretary-General.
In this role, Mr. Sekimizu oversaw the
adoption of a number of key instruments,
including the amendments to make the IMO
Member State Audit Scheme mandatory, the
Polar Code, and the Cape Town Agreement
on fishing vessel safety.
His work to push forward with the
reduction of air pollution and greenhouse gas
emissions from ships was also highlighted.
He contributed greatly to the enforcement
of anti-piracy measures, including setting up
the Djibouti Regional Training Centre.
Mr. Sekimizu worked to strengthen
the governance and capacity of IMO’s
educational institutions, and the financial
sustainability of the World Maritime University.
Within IMO, Mr. Sekimizu began a
review and reform process which led to
the Organization’s Sub-Committees being
restructured and revised working methods
being introduced, including “PaperSmart”
practices and enhancements in information
and communication technology.
The International Maritime Prize for
2016 will be presented during a ceremony
to be held during 30th session of the IMO
Assembly in November.
Mr. Koji Sekimizu
A naval architect by training, with a
Master’s Degree in engineering from Osaka
University, Mr. Sekimizu joined the Ministry
of Transport of Japan in 1977 as a ship
inspector. He was promoted to various posts
in the Ministry, including Deputy Director
of the Environment Division and Deputy
Director, Safety Standards Division, Maritime
Technology and Safety Bureau. Mr. Sekimizu
was involved with IMO meetings for the
Government of Japan for some years, and International Maritime Prize
then he joined IMO in 1989. He was involved The International Maritime Prize is
in the development of many important awarded annually by IMO to the individual
Conventions and Codes, with responsibility or organization judged to have made the
for maritime safety, security, anti-piracy most significant contribution to the work and
measures and marine environment issues. objectives of the Organization. It consists
He served as Director of both IMO’s of a sculpture in the form of a dolphin and
Marine Environment Division and Maritime includes a financial award, upon submission
Safety Division before becoming Secretary- of an academic paper written on a subject
General of the Organization. relevant to IMO.

Development Goals (SDGs).
“What we are witnessing today is the
formal start of a tried and tested partnership
concept which has the potential to boost still
further our efforts to kick-start the change that
society demands and create a firm, tangible
basis to transform the shipping sector for the
better,” Mr Lim said.
“Under this new public-private partnership
initiative, these “industry champions”, which
come from different sectors of the industry
and may have different business strategies
within the same sector, are coming together
to contribute to tackling the challenges of
decarbonizing the shipping sector”.
Following the announcement by the
GloMEEP Project of its intention to establish
the GIA, thirteen companies have agreed to
become the founding members of the GIA,
although it is expected that more companies
may join the GIA even after the launch.
The thirteen members that have formally
committed to joining the alliance are:
ABB Engineering (Shanghai) Ltd, DNV GL
SE, Lloyd’s Register EMEA, MarineTraffic,
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A.,
Ricardo UK Ltd, Royal Caribbean Cruises
Ltd, Shell International Trading and Shipping
Company Ltd, Silverstream Technologies,
Stena AB, Wärtsilä Corporation, Total Marine
Fuels Pte Ltd, and Winterthur Gas &
Diesel Ltd.
These companies are supporting the
overall goals of the GIA by providing their
expertise and know-how in the area of
maritime fuel efficiency, as well as contributing
financially towards the GIA Fund from which
GIA activities will be funded.
Following the official GIA launch, the first
GIA Task Force meeting was convened to
discuss work modalities and kick-off the
GIA work.

www.imo.org 7
 NEWS IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017

Flame-defying maritime
pilots recognized with
IMO bravery accolade
T wo members of the Houston Pilots in the
United States are to receive the 2017 IMO
Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea. The
IMO Council at its 118th session (24-27 July).
The 2017 IMO Award for Exceptional
Bravery at Sea will be presented during a
at sea, two involving search and rescue
professionals and three in which the crews of
merchant ships played a crucial role.
pair will be recognized for their role in averting ceremony to be held during the 30th session
a major tragedy when the ship they were of the IMO Assembly in November.
IMO Award for Exceptional
piloting broke down and burst into flames after Of a total of 33 nominations, received from Bravery at Sea
colliding with mooring dolphins. 16 Member States and 5 non-governmental This annual Award was established by
Despite being surrounded by a towering organizations, a further three will receive IMO to provide international recognition for
wall of burning fuel for nearly 90 minutes, Certificates of Commendation and five will those who, at the risk of losing their own life,
pilots Captain Michael G. McGee and Captain receive Letters of Commendation. perform acts of exceptional bravery, displaying
Michael C. Phillips showed decisiveness, outstanding courage in attempting to save life
dedication and ship-handling expertise. As
Rescue of migrants at sea at sea or in attempting to prevent or mitigate
a result of their courageous actions, no lives The Council also agreed that all those damage to the marine environment.
were lost, serious damage to pier structures involved in rescuing migrants at sea should Nominations are scrutinized by an
and petro-chemical facilities were prevented be recognized by the Secretary-General for assessment panel made up of members
and a major marine pollution incident their outstanding humanitarian efforts, and of non governmental organizations in
was avoided. that crews of merchant vessels involved consultative status with IMO, under the
The incident occurred shortly after midnight should receive the commendation of the IMO chairmanship of the Secretary-General.
on 6 September 2016, when Captain McGee Assembly through certificates of Subsequently, a panel of judges (made up
and Captain Phillips were piloting the 247 special recognition. of the Chairs of several IMO bodies) meets
meters-long tanker Aframax River in the There were five specific nominations for to consider the recommendations of the
Houston Ship Channel. The size of the tanker incidents involving the rescue of migrants assessment panel and to select the recipients.
meant it required two pilots.
A sudden mechanical failure of the engines
resulted in a loss of control and led to the
ship striking two mooring dolphins. A fuel
tank ruptured, causing a spill of diesel fuel
that quickly ignited. The ship was engulfed
in flames which reached up to 90 metres
high. The raging fire quickly spread across
the channel, threatening other tank ships and
nearby waterfront facilities, and enveloped the
area in thick toxic smoke.
Despite the imminent danger, at great risk
to their own lives, both pilots remained at their
stations on the bridge of the ship during the
fire. Captain McGee managed to manoeuvre
the stricken and blazing vessel away from
surrounding ships and facilities. Captain
Phillips coordinated communications and
firefighting efforts with the United States Coast
Guard and numerous local fireboats. Captain
Phillips rushed to grab a fire extinguisher and
put out a fire raging on the port bridge wing.
The inferno was finally extinguished after
90 minutes, leaving both pilots exhausted and
suffering minor burns. Captain McGee, using
tugs, was then able to bring the damaged
tanker safely to a mooring facility.
Captain McGee and Captain Phillips were
nominated by the International Maritime Pilots’
Association (IMPA). The Award was decided
by a Panel of Judges and endorsed by the

8 www.imo.org
IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017 NEWS

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www.imo.org 9
 FEATURE
Seafarers Matter every day – but especia
“S eafarers Matter” was the central theme
for the 2017 Day of the Seafarer, held,
as always, on June 25.
For 2017, the focus of the Day of the
Seafarer campaign was once again closely
related to the World Maritime Day theme. The
central theme of the campaign was to engage
ports to demonstrate how much seafarers
matter to them – echoing the connection
between “ships, ports and people” but from a
slightly different angle. IMO actively engaged
with ports to show their support for seafarers
in imaginative and interesting ways, such as a
public open day at seafarer centres; a social
event organized in ports to celebrate seafarers
or free Wi-Fi in ports for a day.
The online campaign called for all interested
parties, including the public at large, to voice
their support using social networks by posting
messages on Facebook and Twitter, as well
as sharing photos and videos, adding the
campaign slogan: “Seafarers Matter”.
The campaign generated numerous web
stories, videos, blog postings, news articles
and opinion pieces from experts and media
outlets, which together attracted millions of
individuals to the many social networks linked
to the Day of the Seafarer.
For 2017, a variety of promotional materials
were created by IMO, including an interactive
10
IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017
online quiz designed to be both informative
and fun; a photo wall hosted on the IMO
website, where visitors (mainly former and
current seafarers) were invited to upload a
photo of their time at sea and in port; an
interactive online world map on which seafarer
centres could post information about their
facilities and activities; the Secretary-General’s
video message for Day of the Seafarer which
was recorded at a seafarer centre in Hamburg,
Germany (below) and a series of digital
cards highlighting quotes from the Secretary-
General’s message, for use on social media;
The campaign effectively brought about
a global “conversation” among individuals,
organizations, industry players and seafarers
and created a picture of seafaring as a vital
support mechanism for the global economy.
Early indications were that the campaign was
once again a considerable success. Just
three days after the “Day” itself, the interactive
quiz had been attempted more than 3,500
times; more than 100 seafarer centres had
contributed to the interactive map and it
had received several thousand views; the
Secretary-General’s video had received more
than 50,000 views on Facebook and 4,000
views on YouTube; hundreds had posted on
the photo wall and Twitter engagement stood
at more than 13 million.
www.imo.org
 IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017 FEATURE

ally on June 25!

www.imo.org 11
 FROM THE MEETINGS IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017
MSC

MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE • 98TH SESSION • 7-16 JUNE 2017

Passenger ship
stability amendments
T he MSC adopted a set of amendments
to SOLAS chapter II-1, with an expected
entry into force of 1 January 2020, relating to
subdivision and damage stability.
The amendments were developed following
a substantive review of SOLAS chapter II-1,
focusing in particular on new passenger
ships. The review has taken into account
recommendations arising from the investigation
into the 2012 Costa Concordia incident.
In conjunction with the adoption of the
aforementioned amendments, MSC adopted
the Revised Explanatory Notes to SOLAS
chapter II-1 subdivision and damage
stability regulations.
The MSC also approved the revised
guidance for watertight doors on passenger
ships which may be opened during navigation.

Adoption of ships’ Cyber risk management resolution adopted

routeing systems
T he MSC adopted a resolution on
maritime cyber risk management in safety
circular on guidelines on maritime cyber risk
management, based on the interim guidelines
T he MSC adopted a number of new and
amended ships’ routeing measures.
They include the establishment of a new
management systems. The resolution reminds
stakeholders that the mandatory International
on maritime cyber risk management (MSC.1/
Circ.1526), following the recent approval of
Safety Management (ISM) Code includes a the circular by the Facilitation Committee. The
area to be avoided (ATBA) as an associated
requirement for all identified risks to ships, circular provides high-level recommendations for
protective measure for the “Tubbataha Reefs
personnel and the environment to be assessed maritime cyber risk management, which refers to
Natural Park Particularly Sensitive Sea Area
and for appropriate safeguards to a measure of the extent to which a technology
(PSSA) in the Sulu Sea” (the Philippines).
be established. asset is threatened by a potential circumstance
The ATBA is linked to the proposed PSSA,
The resolution encourages Administrations or event, which may result in shipping-related
which was approved in principle in 2016
to ensure that cyber risks are appropriately operational, safety or security failures as a
and formally designated by IMO’s Marine
addressed in safety management systems consequence of information or systems being
Environment Protection Committee (MEPC
no later than the first annual verification of the corrupted, lost or compromised. The guidelines
71) in July.
company’s Document of Compliance after include background information, functional
The MSC also adopted the recommended
1 January 2021. elements and best practices for effective cyber
route “Off the western coast of Izu O Shima
The MSC also approved the joint MSC-FAL risk management.
Island”, which is the first routeing measure
around Japan adopted by IMO.

Unsafe mixed
migration by sea
M ember States and international
organizations affirmed their concern
for the humanitarian situation and the loss
of migrants at sea and agreed that the way
forward was to promote appropriate and
effective action at the United Nations.
The Committee encouraged Member
States and organizations in consultative
status to participate in the Global Compact
on Migration process underway following
the adoption of the New York Declaration for
Cyber security will take additional importance as ships
Refugees and Migrants adopted on become more dependant on technology. Pic: Rolls Royce
19 September 2016.

12 www.imo.org
IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017
Autonomous vessels put on agenda
T he MSC agreed to include the issue of
marine autonomous surface ships (MASS)
on its agenda. This will be in the form of a
scoping exercise to determine how the safe,
secure and environmentally sound operation
of such vessels may be introduced in
IMO instruments.
The MSC recognized that IMO should
take a proactive and leading role, given the
rapid technological developments relating to
the introduction of commercially operated
ships in autonomous/unmanned mode. The
scoping exercise is seen as a starting point
and is expected to touch on an extensive
range of issues, including the human
element, safety, security, interactions with
ports, pilotage, responses to incidents and
protection of the marine environment.
The scoping exercise could include
identifying: IMO regulations which, as
currently drafted, preclude autonomous/
unmanned operations; IMO regulations that
would have no application to autonomous/
unmanned operations (as they relate purely
to a human presence on board); and IMO
regulations which do not preclude unmanned
operations but may need to be amended in
order to ensure that the construction and
operation of MASS are carried out safely,
www.imo.org
MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE
securely, and in an environmentally
sound manner.
The scoping exercise should address
different levels of automation, including semi
autonomous and unmanned ships and could
include discussion of a definition of what is
meant by an “autonomous ship”. Delegations
suggested the exercise should include
scoping of the full range of human element
factors within different levels of autonomy for
both shipboard and shore-based personnel;
scoping of the reliability, robustness, resiliency
and redundancy of the underlying technical,
communications, software and engineering
systems; and consideration of conducting a
formal safety assessment or gap analysis as
to the safety, technical, human element and
operational aspects of autonomous remotely
controlled or unmanned ships.
The MSC also agreed that proper
consideration should be given to legal
aspects, including where the responsibility
would lie in case of an accident involving a
MASS, its consequences to the cargo, and
also the implications to the shoreside.
It is anticipated that the work would take
place over four MSC sessions, through to
mid-2020. Submissions were invited to the
next session.
FROM THE MEETINGS
MSC
• 98TH SESSION • 7-16 JUNE 2017
Big ship, no crew: a vision of the future?
Pic: Rolls Royce
Implementation of
E-navigation strategy
and operational safety
T he MSC adopted and approved a
number of new and revised performance
standards and guidelines related to
operational safety, including those to
implement the e-navigation strategy.
The MSC approved an MSC circular on
Guidelines for shipborne position, navigation
and timing (PNT) data processing, which
provides guidance on enhancing the safety
and efficiency of navigation by improved
provision of position, navigation and timing
(PNT) data to bridge teams (including
pilots) and shipboard applications (e.g. AIS,
ECDIS, etc.). Consequential amendments
were adopted to resolution MSC.401(95)
on Performance standards for multi-system
shipborne radionavigation receivers.
The MSC also adopted amendments to
the revised guidelines and criteria for ship
reporting systems (resolution MSC.43(64)),
addressing mandatory ship reporting systems
established in accordance with SOLAS
regulation V/11. The revisions update the
resolution and encourage the use and
recognition of automated electronic means
of ship reporting.
13
 FROM THE MEETINGS IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017

0736/2017

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14 www.imo.org
IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017 FROM THE MEETINGS

MSC
MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE • 98TH SESSION • 7-16 JUNE 2017

Piracy and armed robbery against ships

T he MSC was updated on the latest statistics concerning piracy and
armed robbery against ships, based on incidents reported to IMO.
A total of 221 piracy and armed robbery incidents occurred worldwide in
2016, a fall of about 27% compared to 303 incidents reported in 2015.
However, the Committee noted with concern that, in West Africa,
incidents had increased by 77% (62 incidents in 2016 against 35 in
2015). Although piracy and armed robbery activity in the South China
Sea had decreased slightly with 68 cases reported in 2016 compared to
81 in 2015, developments in the South East Asian region, particularly in
the Sulu-Celebes Sea, were also concerning (16 in 2016, two incidents
in 2015).
In addition, piracy activity off the coast of Somalia was still active,
with eight incidents reported between January and April 2017 involving Development of functional requirements
six merchant ships and two dhows and around 39 crew members taken
hostage or kidnapped. for SOLAS chapter III
T
To address possible under-reporting of piracy and armed robbery he MSC reviewed the progress made by the Sub-Committee on
incidents within the Gulf of Guinea region, the MSC approved a circular Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) in developing draft functional
on reporting of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships requirements and their expected performance for SOLAS chapter III
in the Gulf of Guinea. The circular urges flag States, shipmasters, on life-saving appliances and arrangements. The aim is to describe the
shipowners/operators and shipping companies to report incidents of expected performance of the functional requirements in
piracy and armed robbery in a timely manner to reporting organizations, quantitative terms.
such as Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade – Gulf of Guinea The Committee invited Member States and international
(MDAT – GoG) and the International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting organizations to submit relevant information and data to the
Centre (PRC). This would allow better response by coastal States, Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE).
promptly alert other ships in the vicinity and develop a more meaningful
understanding of the risk level to ships operating in areas where

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www.imo.org 15
 FROM THE MEETINGS IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017
MSC

MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE • 98TH SESSION • 7-16 JUNE 2017

GMDSS modernization plan

T he MSC approved the modernization plan
of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety
System (GMDSS), prepared by the Sub-
Committee on Navigation, Communications and
Search and Rescue (NCSR). The plan envisages
the development of amendments to SOLAS and
related instruments for approval in 2021 and their
adoption in 2022, with entry into force in 2024.
Approval of guidance and guidelines
The MSC approved guidance and guidelines,
including the following:
• Guidelines on safety during abandon ship
drills using lifeboats and draft amendments to
update the guidelines for developing operation
and maintenance manuals for lifeboat systems
(MSC.1/Circ.1205). Both sets of guidelines
have been reviewed following the adoption at
MSC 96 of the Requirements for maintenance,
thorough examination, operational testing,
overhaul and repair of lifeboats and rescue
boats, launching appliances and release gear
(resolution MSC.402(96)) and the related
SOLAS amendments which make them
mandatory. The package of requirements,
expected to enter into force on 1 January
2020, has made mandatory measures to
prevent accidents with survival craft and to
address long standing issues such as the need
for a uniform, safe and documented standard
related to the servicing of these appliances,
as well as the authorization, qualification and
certification requirements to ensure that a
reliable service is provided.
• Guidelines for port State control officers on
certification of seafarers, hours of rest and
manning. The guidelines were referred to the
Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO
Instruments (III 4) for inclusion in ongoing work
on the revision of resolution A.1052(27) on
Procedures for port State control, 2011.
• Guidelines for vessels and units with dynamic
positioning (DP) systems. The guidelines,
generally applicable to new vessels and units
with dynamic positioning systems, have been
developed to current industry practice and
DP technologies, since the previous set of
guidelines was issued in 1994 and will still be
applicable to existing vessels (Guidelines for
vessels with dynamic positioning (DP) systems
(MSC/Circ.645)). Compliance with the new
guidelines would be documented by means of
a Dynamic Positioning Verification Acceptance
Document (DPVAD) for the dynamic positioning
system. The MSC also approved amendments
to the Guidelines for Dynamic Positioning
system operator training (to be issued as
MSC.1/Circ.738/Rev.2).
• Escape route signs and equipment location
markings, together with the associated draft
Assembly resolution, with a view to subsequent
adoption by the IMO Assembly. The symbols
reflect the international standard ISO 24409
2:2014.
• Amendments to the Guidelines for evaluation
and replacement of lifeboat release and
retrieval systems (MSC.1/Circ.1392) intended
to include a method of assessment for hook
fixed structural connections of the release
mechanism and supporting structure, which
are not made of material resistant to corrosion
in the marine environment, in order to confirm
that they are in “good condition”.
• Guidance for Parties, Administrations,
port State control authorities, recognized
organizations and other relevant parties on the
requirements under the STCW Convention,
1978, as amended (STCW.7/Circ.24 as
STCW.7/Circ.24/Rev.1), based on the
recommendation by the Sub-Committee on
Human Element, Training and Watch keeping.

Other amendments adopted by MSC

SOLAS amendments
(Expected entry into force 1 January 2020)
• Amendments to SOLAS regulation II-2/3.56, relating to the definition
of vehicle carrier and draft new SOLAS regulation II-2/20.2 on fire
safety requirements for cargo spaces containing vehicles with fuel in
their tanks for their own propulsion, specifically vehicles which do not
use their own propulsion within the cargo space.
• Amendments to SOLAS regulation II-2/9.4.1.3 to clarify the
requirements for fire integrity of windows on passenger ships
carrying not more than 36 passengers and on special purpose ships
with more than 60 (but no more than 240) persons on board.
• Amendments to SOLAS regulations III/1.4, III/30 and III/37 on
damage control drills for passenger ships, to require damage control
drills to take place on all passenger ships from 2020.
IMSBC Code
• The 2017 set of draft amendments (04-17) to the International
Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code), to update
requirements for a number of cargoes, was adopted. The
amendments also included those relating to paragraphs 4.5.1 and
4.5.2, highlighting the responsibility of the shipper for ensuring that
a test to determine the transportable moisture limit (TML) of a solid
bulk cargo is conducted. Also included were amendments to require
the shipper to declare whether or not a solid bulk cargo, other than
grain, is harmful to the marine environment.
HSC Code
• Amendments to the 1994 and 2000 High-Speed Craft (HSC)
Codes, clarifying the exemption applicable to certain smaller vessels
from the requirement to carry a rescue boat, provided that minimum
requirements for carrying survival craft are met and provided that
a person can be rescued from the water in a horizontal or near
horizontal body position.
LSA Code
• Amendments to the International Life-saving Appliances (LSA)
Code, chapter VI, section 6.1 relating to the proof load tests
and safety factors that launching appliances and their elements
have to withstand. Also related amendments to the Revised
Recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances
(resolution MSC.81(70)).
MODU Code
• Amendments to the Code for the Construction and Equipment
of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, 2009 (2009 MODU Code) to
update and amend the 2009 MODU Code, taking into account
recommendations arising from the investigation into the explosion,
fire and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico,
in April 2010. Key revisions concern machinery and electrical
installations in hazardous areas, fire safety safety and life saving
appliances and equipment.

16 www.imo.org
IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017 FROM THE MEETINGS

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 FEATURE
World Maritime Day 2017 “Connecting Sh
W orld Maritime Day is an official United
Nations day. Every year, it provides
an opportunity to focus attention on the
importance of shipping and other maritime
activities, and to highlight the significant
contribution of the International Maritime
Organization (IMO) and its Member States to
global efforts to improve the safety, security
and efficiency of shipping and to protect
the marine environment. It does this by
emphasizing particular aspects of
IMO’s work.
Each World Maritime Day has its own
theme. Often the theme will coincide with
a particular anniversary. Themes may also
reflect current events or wider United Nations
initiatives.
The World Maritime Day themes for 2016
and 2017 are complementary and may be
seen as a response to United Nations post-
2015 sustainable development agenda and, in
particular, the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs). For 2016, the theme was “Shipping:
indispensable to the world” – chosen to focus
on the critical link between shipping and the
everyday lives of people all over the planet,
and to raise awareness of the role of IMO as
18
the global regulatory body for international
shipping. One of the key messages was that
the importance of shipping in supporting
and sustaining today’s global society gives
IMO’s work a significance that reaches far
beyond the industry itself. According to the
United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD), around 80% of
global trade by volume and over 70% of
global trade by value are carried by sea and
are handled by ports worldwide.
The theme for 2017 – “IMO – Connecting
Ships, Ports and People” – builds on the 2016
theme. It focuses on helping Member States
to develop and implement maritime strategies
to invest in a joined-up, interagency approach
that addresses a wide range of issues,
including the facilitation of maritime transport,
and increasing efficiency, navigational safety,
protection of the marine environment, and
maritime security. It encourages Member
States, United Nations agencies, other
organizations, and industry to work with
developed and developing countries, shipping
and public- and private-sector ports to identify
and promote best practices and to build
bridges between the many diverse actors
IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017
involved in these areas.
Key objectives include improving
cooperation between ports and ships and
developing a closer partnership between the
two sectors; raising global standards and
setting norms for the safety, security and
efficiency of ports and for port and coastal
State authorities; and standardizing port
procedures through identifying and developing
best practice guidance and training materials.
The global challenge
We live in challenging times. The
population of the world exceeds 7 billion
and is increasing. The populations of many
developing states are set to double by
2050. In addition to population increase
the world today faces many, often related
challenges: climate change; threats to the
environment; unsustainable exploitation of
natural resources; threats to food security;
societal threats posed by organized criminals
and violent extremists; and instability leading
to mixed migration. All of these threaten
the cohesion of societies and impact on
developing countries’ ability to trade and
to grow.
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 IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017
hips, Ports and People”
To address these and other challenges,
in September 2015, the 193 Member States
of the United Nations (including 170 Member
States of IMO) unanimously adopted the
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,
including 17 SDGs and 169 related targets.
The SDGs apply to all countries and, through
the adoption of the Agenda, States have
committed to mobilize efforts to end all forms
of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate
change, while ensuring that no one is left
behind – by 2030. The Agenda emphasizes
the need to simultaneously consider the social,
economic and environmental aspects of
sustainable development. The 2030 Agenda
is supported by other UN strategies such as
the prevention of violent extremism, as well as
many regional initiatives.
Although some may feel that the maritime
contribution to many of the SDGs is peripheral,
the truth is that the world relies on international
shipping and benefits from its smooth
operation, by which food, commodities, raw
materials, energy and consumer goods are
moved reliably and effectively around the globe
at low cost. International shipping is, therefore,
www.imo.org
central to the functioning of global trade by
connecting producers, manufacturers and
consumers and, as such, provides a way for
IMO Member States to enhance trade with
one-another. Indeed, this was reflected in the
2016 theme “Shipping: indispensable to
the world”.
As the 2030 Agenda and SDGs will be
implemented principally at the State level,
IMO will act to help Member States to
develop and formulate innovative policies and
strategies taking into account cross-cutting
issues to respond to the needs of countries
at the national, regional and global levels. In
the words of the IMO Secretary-General, Mr.
Kitack Lim, “Ultimately, more efficient shipping,
working in partnership with a port sector
supported by governments, will be a major
driver towards global stability and sustainable
development for the good of
all people.”
Enhancing efficiency
Ships, crewmembers and the goods and
passengers that they carry across borders are
subject to a range of government controls,
both on arrival and departure. These controls
FEATURE
address a wide range of issues including
public health, revenue protection, security,
immigration, enforcing controls on importing
and exporting prohibited and restricted items,
and sanctions enforcement.
Some of these controls may be specific
to the ship itself, some to crewmembers,
some to passengers, some to the cargoes
carried, and some to more than one of
these categories. However, in addition to the
regulatory controls traditionally associated with
customs, immigration, law enforcement and
security, there are also a range of practical
procedures and processes that must be
followed in relation to the enhancement of
maritime safety as well as to the provision of
general port services to ships. As with the
regulatory controls, these may be due to
national requirements or may be mandated by
international conventions and agreements.
All these controls and procedures, be
they local, national or international, regulatory
or commercial, have features in common –
they all require provision of information to a
range of different agencies and entities, they
require action to be taken by ships, crews
19
 FEATURE IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017

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IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017
Connections need to be transparent, yet secure
and ports, there are consequences if they
are not followed, they take time and, if not
coordinated, cost far more than they need to.
Facilitating maritime traffic
The process by which these myriad
regulations, requirements and procedures are
harmonized is known as “facilitation”. If every
country and every port within each country
has different requirements for ships, cargoes
and people, chaos and inefficiency ensue. The
need for standardization and cutting of red
tape was recognized by IMO’s Maritime Safety
Committee very early on in the life of what was
then called the Inter-Governmental Maritime
Consultative Organization (IMCO) – now IMO –
through the development of the Convention on
the Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic,
1965, as amended (the FAL Convention).
The FAL Convention was the first
international convention developed by IMCO/
IMO. The Maritime Safety Committee started
work on drafting it in 1961; it was adopted
on 9 April 1965 and entered into force on 5
March 1967. It is currently binding on 118
Contracting Governments to the Convention
and aims “to promote measures to bring about
uniformity and simplicity in the documentary
requirements and procedures associated
with the arrival, stay and departure of ships
engaged in international voyages”.
The FAL Convention sets out internationally
agreed ‘Standards’ and ‘Recommended
Practices’ in respect of the arrival, stay and
departure of ships, persons and cargoes and
includes provisions in respect of stowaways,
public health, and quarantine. In this context,
‘Standards’ are internationally-agreed
measures the uniform application of which
is “necessary and practicable in order to
facilitate international maritime traffic” and
‘Recommended Practices’ are measures
the application of which is “desirable”. Put
more simply, Standards are what Contracting
Governments must do, Recommended
Practices are what Contracting Governments
should do. The FAL Convention also assists in
the reduction of red tape through standardized
documentation known as ‘FAL Forms’.
As with all IMO Conventions, the FAL
Convention evolves to take into account new
developments and technologies worldwide.
A series of amendments to the FAL
www.imo.org
Standard port entry formalities and reduced red tape are
Convention will enter into force on
1 January 2018. These include new systems
for the electronic exchange of information
for the clearance of ships, cargo, crew and
passengers by 8 April 2019. IMO is also
working on development of so-called maritime
‘single window’ systems, in which all the many
agencies and authorities involved exchange
data via a single point of contact, using
harmonized and standardized data
reporting formats.
The FAL Committee
The vehicle for the evolution of the FAL
Convention is the IMO Facilitation Committee,
a body that meets annually. Membership of
the FAL Committee includes all IMO Member
States, Contracting Governments to the
Convention and observers from Organizations
in Consultative Status with the Organization.
As well as good facilitation being
the key to connecting ships, ports and
people, another core message of the 2017
World Maritime Day theme is that, for the
FAL Committee to function effectively,
all stakeholders, both government and
industry, should be represented in national
and observer delegations and participate
actively in its meetings, exchanging views and
best practices on more efficient measures
and promoting their harmonization and
standardization. It is also important to increase
the representation of the port sector, border
control authorities and related organizations
at other IMO meetings, to foster better
understanding of the implications and impact
of IMO regulations on the port sector (and vice
versa). Examples could include the need for
FEATURE
vital for connecting ships, ports and people
ports to provide efficient and environmentally
sound facilities and procedures for disposal of
ships’ waste, and to develop procedures for
complying with the need to verify
containers’ weight.
Maritime security
For the connections between ships, ports
and people to be sustainable, they must also
be secure. To that end, IMO helps Member
States enhance maritime security, focussing
on what the civil maritime industry, embracing
both the shipping and port sectors, can do
to protect itself and to assist governments to
protect global maritime trade. The emphasis
is on preventive security through risk
management, deterrence and threat transfer,
rather than countering terrorism per se.
However, through its work on the facilitation
of international maritime traffic, IMO also
has an interest in mixed migration by sea,
prevention of drug smuggling, cybersecurity
and prevention of stowaways.
A diplomatic conference held at IMO
in December 2002 adopted a number
of amendments to the Safety of Life at
Sea Convention (SOLAS), including the
development of a new chapter XI-2 on ‘Special
measures to enhance maritime security’ and
the introduction of the International Ship and
Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), which
went into force in 147 States on 1 July 2004
(now 163).
These measures consolidated and added
to all the previous IMO guidance on security,
prevention of drug smuggling, stowaways,
and port State control regimes. Essentially,
these ‘special measures to enhance maritime
21
 FEATURE
security’ were about reassuring the port States
that the ships entering their waters did not
pose a threat; and reassuring flag States that
the ships flying their flag would be protected
while in other States’ ports and
territorial waters.
In terms of the practical implementation of
SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code, the
main challenges are in the port facilities. Unlike
on ships, where an existing safety culture was
relatively easy to evolve into a security culture,
the security structure in ports is generally far
more complex – involving many players from
different governmental, law enforcement and
private entities. Many countries view ports as
critical infrastructure and their security as a
facet of national security. However, without
clear national and local legislation, policies
and direction coordinating the activities of all
key stakeholders, security responses in port
facilities are, at best, fragmented.
A well-coordinated, risk based preventive
strategy is critical to the success of port
and port facility security regimes, be they for
protecting port infrastructure against terrorist
attack, countering theft and other criminal
activity, or preventing access to ships by
terrorists, drug smugglers or stowaways.
Emerging issues
The world has changed since the
introduction of the special measures to
enhance maritime security in SOLAS chapter
XI-2 and the ISPS Code. Ongoing threats
to the port and shipping sectors continue
to evolve and so does IMO’s response.
Emerging issues include the fallout from piracy
and armed robbery, including challenges
posed by the embarkation and carriage of
privately contracted armed security personnel,
their weapons, ammunition and licensable
equipment; cyber threats; more widespread
terrorism and violent extremism; the
increasingly urgent need to address destructive
and unsustainable levels of illegal, unreported
and unregulated fishing; trafficking in weapons,
drugs and people; the uncontrolled export of
illegal wildlife and illegal wildlife products that
threatens ecosystems and sustainable tourism
ashore; and the need to sensitize ports,
develop tools and implement programmes for
climate change mitigation.
As with facilitation, maritime security
needs a multi-agency response. However,
it also needs a multi-functional approach to
encourage governments of land-focussed
countries to engage. In many countries,
security is about protecting the government
and infrastructure, rather than creating the
stability that allows for economic development.
The IMO maritime security strategy is,
therefore, focussed on working with other
United Nations agencies and international
organizations to encourage and help
governments to meet all their responsibilities
22
IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017
at sea, as mandated in IMO conventions and enhancing the port and maritime sector as
other international instruments. wealth creators both on land and, through
The maritime security focus for 2017 developing a sustainable blue economy,
is, therefore, to help national governments at sea.
develop their national oversight capability for For this to succeed, the full support of
safety and security and promote application of the port sector will be needed. A port sector
the ISPS Code and ILO/IMO Code of practice supported by government, able to streamline
on security in ports. Key to this is promoting procedures and remove excessive barriers
the establishment of port security and to trade, to embrace new technologies,
facilitation advisory committees as vehicles for to root out corruption and to treat safety,
inter agency cooperation for wider security – security and reputation as both desirable and
addressing all security-related threats including marketable, will be a major driver towards
theft, drugs, illegal wildlife, stowaways, migrant stability and sustainable development.
smuggling, terrorism. Over the past half century, IMO has had
As an example, in January 2017, States from a huge beneficial impact on shipping and
the western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden this has been felt by all those who rely on
area, taking inspiration from the success of the industry. Looking ahead, the positive
the Djibouti and Yaoundé Codes of Conduct, benefits of IMO’s work should be felt further,
adopted the Jeddah Amendment to the throughout the supply chain. IMO can, and
Djibouti Code of Conduct, which expands the should, be the catalyst for dialogue and
scope of the original Code from countering communication – not just at the governmental
piracy only to addressing maritime crime level but within and throughout the shipping
and maritime governance in general. This industry, the transport industry and the
also supports IMO’s role within the wider logistics industry – in short, the entire global
UN family’s efforts to meet the sustainable supply chain and everything that affects it.
development goals and to prevent violent The search for synergies and the
extremism and mixed migration by tackling promotion of partnerships across the
their root causes. maritime and logistics sectors are worthy
objectives. Ultimately, more efficient shipping,
Conclusion working in partnership with a port sector
Investment, growth and improvement in the
supported by governments, will be a major
shipping and ports sectors is a clear indication
driver towards global stability and sustainable
of a country or a region that is enjoying
development for the good of all people.
success in the present and planning for more
success in the future.
By promoting trade by sea, nurturing
national shipping lines and promoting
seafaring as a career; by improving port
infrastructure and efficiency, by developing and
strengthening inter-modal links and hinterland
connections; by managing and protecting
fisheries, exploring offshore energy production
and even by fostering tourism – maritime
activity can both drive and support a growing
national economy.
Improved economic development,
supported by sustainable maritime
development and underpinned by good
maritime security, will support the Post-2015
Development Agenda and complement United
Nations initiatives on the prevention of violent
extremism by addressing some of the stress
factors that lead to instability, insecurity and
uncontrolled mixed migration.
IMO’s 2017 theme “Connecting Ships,
Ports and People” was chosen to provide
an opportunity to focus on the many diverse
actors involved in the shipping and
logistics areas.
The maritime sector, which includes
shipping, ports and the people that operate
them, can and should play a significant role
helping to create conditions for increased
employment, prosperity and stability
ashore through promoting trade by sea;
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IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017 FEATURE

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 FROM THE MEETINGS IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017
MEPC

MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COMMITTEE • 71ST SESSION • 3-7 JULY 2017

Ballast Water Management Convention clarity

T he MEPC agreed a practical and
pragmatic implementation schedule for
ships to comply with the IMO Ballast Water
Management (BWM) Convention, which aims
to stem the transfer of potentially invasive
species in ships’ ballast water.
The treaty enters into force on 8
September 2017. Currently, the BWM
Convention has been ratified by 61 countries,
representing 68.46% of world merchant
shipping tonnage.
From the date of entry into force, ships
will be required to manage their ballast water
to avoid the transfer of potentially invasive
species. All ships will be required to have
a ballast water management plan and keep
a ballast water record book. Ships will be
required to manage their ballast water to
meet the so-called D-1 standard or
D-2 standard.
The D-1 standard requires ships to
conduct the exchange of ballast water such
that at least 95% of water by volume is
exchanged far away from the coast where
it would be otherwise released. The D-2
standard requires ballast water management
to restrict, to a specified maximum, the
amount of viable organisms allowed to
be discharged and to limit the discharge
of specified indicator microbes harmful to
human health.
Draft amendments to the treaty approved
by the MEPC clarify when ships must meet
the D-2 standard.
The draft amendments will be circulated
after the entry into force of the BWM
Convention on 8 September 2017, with
a view to adoption at the next MEPC
session (MEPC 72 in April 2018). Under the
approved amendments, new ships, i.e., ships
constructed on or after 8 September 2017,
shall conduct ballast water management that • adopted the 2017 Guidelines for risk
at least meets the D-2 standard from the date
they are put into service. For existing ships,
assessment under regulation A-4 of the
BWM Convention (G7)
i.e., ships constructed before 8 September • adopted an MEPC resolution on “The
2017, the date for compliance with the D-2 experience-building phase associated with
standard is linked with the renewal survey the BWM Convention”
of the ship associated with the International
• approved the Code for approval of ballast
Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate under
water management systems, and approved
MARPOL Annex I. For existing ships this
draft amendments to the BWM Convention
would be the first or second five-year renewal
to make the Code mandatory, for adoption
survey after 8 September 2017:
at the next session
• By the first renewal survey: this applies
• approved amendments to section E (Survey
when the first renewal survey of the ship
and certification) of the BWM Convention,
takes place on or after 8 September 2019
also for adoption at MEPC 72
or a renewal survey has been completed
on or after 8 September 2014 but prior to 8 • approved a manual on “Ballast Water
September 2017. Management – How to do it”
• approved Guidance on contingency
• By the second renewal survey: this
measures under the BWM Convention
applies if the first renewal survey after 8
September 2017 takes place before 8 • approved a circular on Application of the
September 2019. In this case, compliance BWM Convention to ships operating in
must be by the second renewal survey sea areas where ballast water exchange in
(provided that the previous renewal accordance with regulations B-4.1 and D-1
survey has not been completed in the is not possible
period between 8 September 2014 and 8 • granted final approval to one. and basic
September 2017). approval to two, ballast water management
An existing ship to which the IOPP renewal systems that makes use of
survey under MARPOL Annex I does not active substances.
apply shall meet the D-2 standard from the
date decided by the Administration, but not
later than 8 September 2024.
The MEPC adopted a resolution which
resolves that Parties to the BWM Convention
should implement the schedule for
compliance outlined in the draft amendments,
ahead of their adoption and entry into force.
In other work focusing on implementation
of the BWM treaty, the MEPC also:
• adopted the 2017 Guidelines for ballast
water exchange (G6)

Energy-efficiency measures for ships

E nergy-efficiency design standards for new ships and associated
operational energy-efficiency measures for existing ships became
mandatory in 2013, with the entry into force of relevant amendments
• adopted 2017 Guidelines for the development and management of
the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database
• approved an MEPC circular on Submission of data to the IMO data
to MARPOL Annex VI. The Committee was informed that nearly 2,500
collection system for fuel oil consumption of ships from a State not
new ocean-going ships have now been certified as complying with the
Party to MARPOL Annex VI
energy efficiency standards. In other work related to the implementation
of the mandatory energy-efficiency measures in MARPOL Annex VI, • approved draft amendments to regulation 21 of MARPOL Annex VI
the MEPC: regarding EEDI requirements for ro-ro cargo and ro-ro passenger
• adopted 2017 Guidelines for Administration verification of ship fuel oil ships, with a view to adoption at MEPC 72
consumption data, to support the implementation of the mandatory
• established a correspondence group on review of the Energy
MARPOL requirements for ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above
Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) beyond phase 2, to report on
to collect consumption data for each type of fuel oil they use, as well
progress by MEPC 72 and make a recommendation to MEPC 73 on
as additional specified data, including proxies for transport work, from
the time period and reduction rates for EEDI phase 3 requirements.
calendar year 2019

24 www.imo.org
IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017
MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COMMITTEE
Reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions from ships
T he MEPC continued to build on the solid
work the Organization has undertaken to
address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
from international shipping, with work on
track for the adoption of an initial IMO
strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions
from ships in 2018, in accordance with a
roadmap approved at MEPC 70.
The MEPC noted agreement within a
working group on a draft outline for the
structure of the initial IMO strategy. The group
met following a week-long meeting of the
Intersessional Working Group on Reduction
of GHG Emissions from Ships
(26-30 June), which reported on its
detailed discussions.
The initial strategy is set to include:
1. Preamble/introduction/context including
emission scenarios
2. Vision
3. Levels of ambition; guiding principles
4. List of candidate short-, mid- and long-
term further measures with possible
timelines and their impacts on States
5. Barriers and supportive measures; capacity
www.imo.org
building and technical cooperation; R&D
6. Follow-up actions towards the
development of the revised strategy
7. Periodic review of the strategy
The Committee approved terms of
reference for the second and third meetings
of the intersessional working group.
In addition to further considering how
to progress the matter of reduction of
GHG emissions from ships and advise the
Committee as appropriate, the second
intersessional meeting (ISWG-GHG 2, 23-
27 October 2017) has been instructed to
further develop the structure and identify core
elements of the draft initial IMO strategy on
reduction of GHG emissions from ships and
develop draft text for inclusion in the
initial strategy.
The third intersessional meeting (ISWG-
GHG 3, 3-6 April 2018) has been instructed,
on the basis of the work of ISWG GHG 2,
to finalize the draft initial IMO strategy on
reduction of GHG emissions from ships and
submit a report to MEPC 72
(9-13 April 2018).
FROM THE MEETINGS
MEPC
• 71st SESSION • 3-7 JULY 2017
Implementation of the
global sulphur limit
T he MEPC agreed the scope of
work needed to achieve consistent
implementation of the 0.50% m/m global limit
of the sulphur content of ships’ fuel oil, which
will come into effect from 1 January 2020.
The 0.50% limit is prescribed in regulation
14.1.3 of MARPOL Annex VI.
The Sub-Committee on Pollution
Prevention and Response (PPR) has been
instructed to explore what actions may be
taken to ensure consistent and effective
implementation of the 0.50% m/m sulphur
limit for fuel oil used by ships operating
outside designated SOx Emission Control
Areas and/or not making use of equivalent
means such as exhaust gas cleaning
systems, may facilitate the implementation of
effective policies by IMO Member States.
To ensure this vital work is completed
by 2020, the MEPC approved (subject to
endorsement by the IMO Council) the holding
of an intersessional working group meeting in
the second half of 2018.
In other work related to air pollution matters,
the MEPC:
• adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex
VI to designate the North Sea and the
Baltic Sea as emission control areas (ECAs)
for nitrogen oxides (NOx ) under regulation
13 of MARPOL Annex VI. Both ECAs will
take effect on 1 January 2021, thereby
considerably lowering emissions of NOx
from international shipping in those areas
• adopted amendments to the information
to be included in the bunker delivery
note relating to the supply of marine fuel
oil to ships which have fitted alternative
mechanisms to address sulphur
emission requirements
• adopted the 2017 Selective Catalytic
Reduction (SCR) system guidelines.
25
 FROM THE MEETINGS IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017
MEPC

MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COMMITTEE • 71ST SESSION • 3-7 JULY 2017

Designation of Tubbataha Reefs Natural

Park (Philippines) as a PSSA
T he MEPC approved the final designation of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, situated in
the Sulu Sea, Philippines as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA), following the adoption
by the Maritime Safety Committee of a new area to be avoided as an associated protective
measure. The aim is to reduce the risk of ship groundings in the park, thereby preventing any
resulting marine pollution and damage to the fragile coral reef ecosystem, as well as ensuring
the sustainability of local artisanal fisheries.
This brings the number of marine areas protected in this way to 15 (plus two extensions).
OSV Chemical Code
The MEPC approved the draft code for the transport and handling of hazardous and
noxious liquid substances in bulk on offshore support vessels (OSV Chemical Code), prepared
by PPR 4 and amended and approved by MSC 98, for submission to the thirtieth IMO
Assembly for adoption later this year.
Oil pollution model courses approved
Updated IMO model courses on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation
Major technical
(OPRC Model Training Courses) were approved by the MEPC. The OPRC model training
courses have been revised to provide up-to-date guidance for preparedness and response to
cooperation
marine oil spills. projects
T he MEPC was informed about recent
developments with regard to major
environment-related technical cooperation
(TC) projects. With a view to continuing
the technical cooperation efforts in marine
biosafety, which started with the GloBallast
Partnerships Project which came to an end in
June 2017, IMO has secured further funding
from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to
prepare a full-scale document for a new global
project aimed at assisting with implementation
of the IMO Guidelines for controlling and
managing ships’ biofouling.
On the sidelines of the MEPC meeting,
leading shipowners and operators,
classification societies, engine and technology
builders and suppliers, big data providers,
and oil companies signed up to a new Global
Industry Alliance (GIA) to support shipping
and its related industries make the transition
towards a low carbon future. The GIA has
been established under the auspices of the
GloMEEP Project, a GEF-United Nations
Protecting the Arctic from heavy fuel oil – Development Program (UNDP)-IMO project
to support developing countries implement
work to begin at MEPC 72 energy-efficiency measures for shipping.
Meanwhile, the European Union-funded

T he MEPC agreed to add a new output in its work programme on the development of
measures to reduce risks of use and carriage of heavy fuel oil (HFO) as fuel by ships in
Arctic waters. This new output will appear on the agenda for its next session (MEPC 72) in
Global MTCC Network (GMN) project has
successfully established maritime technology
cooperation centres (MTTCs) in its five target
April 2018. regions - Asia, Africa, Caribbean, Latin
Member Governments and international organizations were invited to submit concrete America and Pacific. With the goal to support
proposals on what type of measures should be developed, including the scope of the work, the move towards low-carbon shipping, the
to MEPC 72, so that clear instructions can be given to the PPR Sub-Committee which will MTTCs will focus on capacity-building efforts
carry out the detailed technical work, starting at PPR 6. and implementing pilot projects involving
The use and carriage of heavy fuel oil is banned in Antarctic waters under MARPOL and fuel oil consumption data collection and
the IMO Polar Code recommends that States follow the same practice in the Arctic. developing low-carbon technologies.

26 www.imo.org
 IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017 FEATURE

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 FROM THE MEETINGS
TCC
Partnerships for
capacity building
T he Committee noted that, as of 30 April
2017, 70 partnership arrangements
were in operation, 42 of which had been
concluded with Member States and Associate
Members and 28 of which had been made
with international organizations, regional
institutions and industry.
Resources – filling
the gaps
T he Committee approved the Technical
Cooperation Fund allocation of some
US$13 million to support the programme’s core
activities. However, the total resource allocation
for the ITCP amounts to some US$23.8 million,
so the outstanding funds will need to be
mobilized from external sources.
The Committee appealed for external donor
contributions in the form of financial or in-kind
support to assist the Organization in funding the
proposed entire 2018-2019 ITCP.
The Committee was informed that the IMO
Secretary-General had established a new post
in the secretariat to cover resource mobilization
and partnerships to strengthen efforts in
engaging with donors and other technical
cooperation partners in seeking
additional resources.
The Committee also considered exploring
alternative sources of funding for the ITCP
and strategies towards the achievement of a
sustainable financing of the ITCP.
28
TECHNICAL COOPERATION COMMITTEE
Linkage with 2030
Agenda for
Sustainable
Development
F ollowing their development in an
intersessional working group tasked
with considering how to link IMO’s technical
assistance work with the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development, the Committee
approved three draft Assembly resolutions:
• The Linkage between IMO’s Technical
Assistance Work and the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development
• Guiding Principles of IMO’s Integrated
Technical Cooperation Programme in
support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and
• Financing and Partnership Arrangements
for an Effective and Sustainable Integrated
Technical Cooperation Programme.
These resolutions are important supporting
documents for the work of the Organization
and in the delivery of technical assistance.
The Committee noted that all SDGs have
some connection with IMO’s mandate.
Successful capacity building in 2016
T he Committee reviewed the annual report for 2016 on the delivery of the ITCP, including
those activities delivered under the global programmes. During 2016, some 237 ITCP
activities were delivered, including 18 advisory and needs-assessment missions and 118
training courses, seminars and workshops held at national, regional and global levels. Some
2,920 people were trained, worldwide, through national and regional training activities.
Qualified personnel needed for audit scheme
T he Committee noted that the
implementation of the mandatory IMO
Member State Audit Scheme was leading to
an increase in ad hoc requests for technical
assistance, which, in turn, would require an
increase in the overall size of the ITCP, and
of the necessary funds. Audits of 19 Member
States on the audit schedule for 2016 were
successfully completed with 23 scheduled to
be completed during 2017.
It was noted that analysis of audits
conducted under the previous voluntary
scheme identified five major areas of
recurrent audit findings: flag State surveyors,
delegation of authority, initial actions/
legislation, implementation and enforcement.
The analysis also found that States which
encountered difficulties might not have
IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017
• 67TH SESSION • 17-19 JULY 2017
National Maritime
Transport Policies
(NMTPs)
T he Committee noted the ongoing work
by the IMO Secretariat to enhance
assistance to Member States in the
formulation of National Maritime Transport
Policies (NMTPs). A maritime transport
policy training package has been developed
in collaboration with the World Maritime
University (WMU).
The training package, which has already
been tested and assessed via the delivery
of a number of pilot national and regional
workshops and seminars, aims at providing
beneficiaries with the required knowledge
and skills which are necessary to prepare,
review and adopt maritime transport policies
More than half of IMO Member States
have completed their country maritime
profiles. The profiles are intended to provide
detailed information on maritime activities
in each country, in order to better target
technical assistance. The Committee
reminded Member States which had not
done so to complete or update their profiles.
established a system for analysing and
integrating newly adopted amendments into
their national legislation.
Apparent unavailability of qualified
personnel to assist in the promulgation of
the necessary national legislation was also
identified as a factor, although it was noted
that many of the countries audited had
graduates from the International Maritime
Law Institute (IMLI), who could provide a
valuable resource of qualified legal experts
to assist Governments to do this.
The Committee also noted the
Organization’s efforts to train auditors for
the scheme. Since 2006, a total of 1,084
individuals from 154 Member States have
been trained as auditors through 56
ITCP activities.
www.imo.org
IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017 IMO AT WORK

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IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017 IMO AT WORK

Training for improved port Mozambique gets fresh

security in Cambodia training on port security
C ambodian officials and
personnel responsible for
maritime and port security took
through interactive exercises and
presentations. A five-day workshop on
maritime security and The
International Ship and Port
similar responsibilities. The
workshop included a port visit,
various group exercises and
Some 36 participants took part
part in an IMO workshop in Phnom in the event, including maritime Facility Security (ISPS) Code was interactive activities - providing
Penh (1-4 August). The course and port security officials of the held in Maputo, Mozambique solid grounding on the oversight
focused on key IMO maritime Merchant Marine Department (24 -28 July). roles and responsibilities of the
security measures, particularly the and the Ministry of Public Works designated authority.
The course provided port
International Ship and Port Facility and Transport as well as port Organized at the request of
facility security officers with the
Security (ISPS) Code and the security officers from the two main the Maritime Authority under
necessary knowledge to perform the Ministry of Transport and
various roles and responsibilities international ports in the country,
their duties in accordance with Communications of Mozambique,
that the Code entails. Participants Phnom Penh Autonomous Port
the requirements of key IMO the training was conducted
also practiced how to train and the Port Autonomous
maritime security measures. in response to the findings of
others with similar responsibilities of Sihanoukville.
As a result, participants a maritime security table top
improved their knowledge and exercise on contingency planning
Port cooperation and maritime skills of those requirements
with a view to train others with
held by IMO in Mozambique in
April 2016.
security in Belize
Identifying and dealing with potential threats to port security was at the core of a three-
day workshop in Belize City, Belize (18-20 July). The event took a closer look at security
needs and associated risks. Through interactive presentations and discussions between
participants the workshop helped identify opportunities for increased collaboration
between government agencies and port owners/operators as well as assessing port
security training priorities. The workshop also discussed specific issues around Port
Facility Security Assessments (PFSAs) in keeping with the international requirements in
IMO’s International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, for example, identification
and evaluation of important assets and infrastructure which are to be protected.
The event was organized by IMO in conjunction with the Inter-American Committee
against Terrorism (CICTE), based on the framework of the Agreement of Cooperation
between IMO and the Organization of the American States (OAS), signed in 2009. The
workshop was based on the results of a preliminary needs’ assessment by OAS-CICTE,
and came as the request of the Belize Port Authority and National Security Council.

Looking at long-range
identification and tracking
T he Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) system provides for the global
identification and tracking of ships. During a recent workshop in Tunis, Tunisia,
(17-18 July), held on the request of the Government of Tunisia, participants were briefed
on the functioning, operation and use of the LRIT system, taking into account the
provisions in IMO’s Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and relevant standards
and guidance. The obligations of ships to transmit LRIT information and the rights
and obligations of Governments and of search and rescue services to receive LRIT
information are established in the SOLAS Convention.

www.imo.org 31
 IMO AT WORK
Oil spill response Addressing the
workshop in Senegal migrant crisis
T he use of oil spill dispersants to break
down an oil slick into smaller droplets as
part of response efforts was the subject of an
IMO workshop in Dakar, Senegal (17-20 July).
Participants from 11 countries attended the
workshop, which analysed national policies
on dispersant use and provided training on
further development and implementation of
these policies.
The event also looked at the Net
Environmental Benefit Analysis – a decision-
making concept used to help ensure that
the response to an incident does not result
in greater harm to the environment than may
have already occurred.
The Dakar workshop was organized under
the Global Initiative for West, Central and
Southern Africa (GI WACAF) – a joint IMO-
IPIECA project – and hosted by HASSMAR –
the Senegalese authority in charge of maritime
safety and security, and the protection of the
marine environment.
Ocean sustainability in focus
A maritime security
strategy for Cameroon Protecting and sustaining the world’s
oceans have been once again in the
I MO has been assisting the Government of
Cameroon to develop a national maritime
security strategy. Senior Government officials
from departments and agencies concerned
with maritime matters attended meetings In
Yaoundé (5-14 July) with an IMO consultant
with a view to setting up a maritime security
committee. This committee will set the
course for a draft programme and strategy
to enhance the country’s maritime security.
These efforts fall under IMO’s Strategy for
Implementing Sustainable Maritime Security
Measures in West and Central Africa.
32
T he loss of life of migrants at sea is a
humanitarian tragedy that needs to be
addressed through appropriate and effective
action at the United Nations. IMO recognizes
the crucial role played by both Government
and non-governmental organizations in
search and rescue operations, as well as the
part played by merchant ships in coming to
the aid of persons in distress at sea. During
the second workshop of the International
Dialogue on Migration (IDM), held in Geneva
(18-19 July), IMO reported that the number of
merchant ships involved in rescue operations
has remained relatively constant since 2015.
The average number of persons rescued
by each merchant ship remains over 110.
In 2016, a total of 381 merchant ships were
diverted from their routes and 121 ships were
involved in the rescue of 13,888 people. Of
particular concern is the upward trend in
migrants reported dead or missing at sea in
2016 and during 2017 to date, which, based
on current statistics, can be expected to
continue during the rest of 2017 and beyond.
The Geneva meeting offered a global
platform to discuss and analyse migrants’
vulnerabilities and capacities, guide
appropriate policy programmatic and
operational responses to address them, and
enhance resilience through protection and
assistance services.
spotlight at the United Nations in New
York (10-14 July). Moves to develop a
legally binding international treaty on the
conservation and sustainable use of marine
biological diversity in areas beyond national
jurisdiction – known as ‘BBNJ’ – continued
with the 4th meeting of a preparatory
committee to work on the draft elements of
a future text, while a high-level political forum
(the HLPF) reviewed, in depth, progress being
made towards a number of the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 14
– “conserve and sustainably use the oceans,
IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017
IMO gets a visit from
the next generation of
maritime workers
S
tudents from the International Association
of Maritime Universities (IAMU) visited
IMO Headquarters for their student forum (11-
12 July). Its theme was that of IMO’s World
Maritime Day – “Connecting Ships, Ports and
People”. The visit, which brought over 60
students from all over the world, provided a
unique opportunity for young people to learn
more about IMO and the maritime industry.
The students also took part in workshops
where they tackled real industry issues such
as attracting and retaining seafarers, quality
training on board and gender equality in the
maritime industry. They then had to write
short reports on the topics discussed during
each workshop. These reports will form
an official student forum publication. The
students also had the chance to listen to
IMO’s Secretary-General Kitack Lim’s own
testimony during his opening remarks, as he
shared insightful anecdotes of his student
days and what led him to choose a maritime
career. The visit was supported by the
Nippon Foundation.
seas and marine resources for sustainable
development”. The IMO Secretariat presented
an overview of the Organization’s work in
these key areas to both meetings.
www.imo.org
 IMO NEWS AUTUMN 2017

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 IMO AT WORK
Empowering port women
A n IMO training course for female officials
from maritime and/or port authorities of
developing countries to improve management
and operational efficiency of their ports has
taken place in Le Havre, France (26 June – 7
July). Participants from 20 countries took part
in the two-week “Women in Port Management”
course, which included lectures on subjects
such as port management, port security, port
marine environment, facilitation of maritime
traffic, the ship/port interface and organization
of a container terminal.
Visits were organized to the Port of Le
Havre, the Port of Rouen and the Harbour
Master’s Office, enabling the participants to
experience for themselves the day-to-day
operations of a port with a view to applying this
knowledge back in their respective countries.
The event was held under IMO’s
gender and capacity-building programme,
in collaboration with the Le Havre Port
Authority, and held at the Institut Portuaire
d’Enseignement et de Recherche (IPER). It
comes as part of IMO’s ongoing efforts to
support the UN Sustainable Development
Goal number five: achieve gender equality and
empower all women and girls.
Oil spill preparedness
D ealing with an oil spill requires effective
management of waste created by a spill.
A national workshop in the Republic of the
Congo (27-29 June) provided an opportunity
for officials who may be involved in dealing with
a spill under national contingency plans to get
updated on the latest technical and regulatory
knowledge and best practices to establish
and manage effective waste management
operations. The workshop was organized
under the auspices of the Global Initiative for
West, Central and Southern Africa (GI WACAF)
– a joint IMO-IPIECA project. IMO facilitated
the event with a team of consultants. It was
hosted by the Ministry of Transport, Aviation
and Merchant Marine.
34
Caribbean cooperation for
low-carbon shipping
W
ork to promote energy-efficient shipping
got underway at the newly-established
Caribbean Maritime Technology Cooperation
Centre (MTCC) with a conference at the
Centre’s headquarters at the University of
Trinidad and Tobago (27-28 June). The Centre
is part of the global network for energy-
efficient shipping under the GMN project,
funded by the European Union and run
by IMO.
The conference is the first regional event
to take place under the project, which has
established a network of five such regional
MTCCs. Together, they are promoting
technologies and operations to improve
energy efficiency in the maritime sector
and help navigate shipping into a
low-carbon future.
The Trinidad and Tobago event brought
together senior maritime administrators, legal
officers and technical specialists from twelve
Caribbean States including Trinidad and
Tobago. Speakers provided an overview of
MTCC-Caribbean and its mandate for climate
change mitigation, and the role of national
maritime administrations. It also focussed on
the region’s ratification and implementation
of IMO regulations for preventing air pollution
from ships. A regional steering committee is
being established to help achieve the MTCC-
Caribbean’s goals.
Supporting maritime security
in the Gulf of Guinea
I MO was represented at the recent meeting in
Rome, Italy (26-27 June), of the G7 Friends
of the Gulf of Guinea Group (G7++FOGG). The
meeting focused on the fight against piracy;
illicit trafficking of narcotics, weapons, human
beings and goods; illegal fishing; marine litter;
and on the development of the maritime
economy. IMO has been supporting countries
in the region to implement all of the key areas
identified in the Code of Conduct concerning
the repression of piracy, armed robbery against
ships, and illicit maritime activity in west and
central Africa.
IMO NEWS • AUTUMN 2017
Port co-operation
and maritime security
A regional workshop focusing on this year’s
World Maritime Day theme - Connecting
Ships, Ports and People – was held in Buenos
Aires, Argentina (26-29 June). The event,
organized by IMO in collaboration with the
Argentine Maritime Authority (Prefectura Naval
Argentina), promoted cooperation between
ports and designated authorities of participating
countries through an open discussion and
by sharing experiences and best practices
related to maritime security. The workshop also
reviewed the implementation of maritime security
in the region and evaluating new or evolving
threats. Specific subjects addressed included
the establishment of national maritime security
committees; application of the International Ship
and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code in areas
other than port facilities; training and certification
of port facility security officers (PFSOs); drills and
exercises; maritime cyber risk management; and
best practices and recommendations related to
the implementation of security measures in
port facilities.
The workshop included a security exercise in
a port facility with participation of different national
authorities, organized as part of activities related
to the national day of the Argentine Coast Guard.
A representative of the Inter-American Committee
on Ports of the Organization of American States
(OAS-CIP), the President of the International ISPS
forum based in Mexico (RED PBIP) and the Head
of the International Port Security Program of the
United States Coast Guard participated, along
with national representatives of 17 States from
the region.
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