A table-top exercise on maritime security has been held in Kingston, Jamaica (30 June-1 July), organized by IMO in collaboration with the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC).

Shipping has historically been a male-dominated industry and that tradition runs long and deep. However, through its global programme on the Integration of Women in the Maritime Sector, IMO is making a concerted effort to help the industry move on from that tradition and to help women achieve a representation within it that is more in keeping with twenty-first century expectations.

Mandatory requirements relating to periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear are on the agenda of the Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE), which is meeting for its 3rd session (14-18 March) at IMO Headquarters. The Sub-Committee will work towards finalizing draft amendments to SOLAS chapter III and the draft mandatory MSC resolution on Requirements for periodic servicing and maintenance of lifeboats and rescue boats, launching appliances and release gear, for submission to the Maritime Safety Committee for adoption.

The current draft of the “Ballast Water Management – How to do it” manual is on the table at the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR), 3rd session (15-19 February), as the BWM Convention edges closer to entry into force. The Sub-Committee is expected to finalize draft MARPOL Annex VI amendments to the bunker […]

IMO has launched a video showing practical training on ballast water sampling and analysis (8 February). This is part of the organization’s efforts, under the GloBallast Partnerships Programme, to counter the threat to ecosystems by invasive species transported in the ballast water of ships. The video includes a recent training exercise that brought together scientific experts, port state control inspectors and marine biologists from various countries with a view to understanding the possible challenges of implementing IMO’s Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention.