IMO in 2013

Amendments to SOLAS relating to lifeboat safety entered into force in January 2013, while important new amendments were adopted during the year, including a requirement for musters on passenger ships to take place prior to departure and new requirements for mandatory enclosed-space entry and rescue drills.  In June, the IMO held a Symposium on the Future of Ship Safety, which recommended a full review of the current regulatory regime. Work on developing the Polar Code continued. The Cape Town 2012 fishing vessel safety agreement got its first signatures.  

Landmark energy-efficiency measures for ships entered into force in January 2013 and this was followed up with further work to support their implementation and extend the requirements to ship types not already covered. Revised garbage regulations also entered into force. Further ballast water management systems were given final approval and a recommendation on implementation of the Ballast Water Management convention was adopted by the IMO Assembly. The environmental requirements of the draft Polar Code were developed. Amendments to the Protocol to London Convention to regulate marine geoengineeering, specifically ocean fertilization, were adopted. An IMO working group agreed Terms of Reference for a greenhouse gas study update and another group agreed to reclassify high-viscosity PIB to protect the environment.   

An IMO symposium on a Sustainable Maritime Transportation System, held on World Maritime Day, provided an opportunity for a broad discussion on the topic and the launch of the Sustainable Maritime Transportation System concept document. The symposium reflected the World Maritime Day theme: “Sustainable Development: IMO's contribution beyond Rio+20”. Peru hosted the 2013 IMO World Maritime Day Parallel Event. 

IMO was involved in a series of capacity-building projects addressing maritime security and anti-piracy and established a trust fund to support the implementation of maritime security projects in west and central Africa. 

IMO adopted guidance for dealing with crimes at sea and celebrated the 100th session of the Legal Committee.  

IMO conducted more than 60 regional activities and numerous seminars, workshops and other projects during 2013, while the Organization continued to develop maritime country profiles, to identify the real technical co-operation needs of IMO Members. 

 

IMO adopted key resolutions and amendments relating to the Organization’s mandatory audit scheme; agreed a restructuring of the Sub-Committees; adopted amendments to make mandatory the Code for Recognized Organizations (ROs); and carried out a public consultation on administrative burdens.