The Poseidon Principles, launched in New York on 18 June 2019, is an agreement reached between the finance sector and the shipping industry to integrate the IMO's policies on climate change.
IMO - Preparations intensify as 1 January 2020 global cut in sulphur in ship's fuel oil looms
28/11/2019
As 1 January 2020 approaches, the IMO has issued a Press Briefing dated 25.11.2019 in which it reports on some of the views and indications which came out of a roundtable industry meeting which it hosted at its London Headquarters on 18 November.
On 31 October, 2019, the IMO updated its "List of National Operational Contact Points Responsible for the Receipt, Transmission and Processing of Urgent Reports on Incidents Involving Harmful Substances, Including Oil from Ships to Coastal States".
Sulphur 2020 PSC inspections
28/10/2019
The new IMO global sulphur cap requirements enter force on 1st January 2020 and a robust and consistent approach to compliance is expected by all Port State Control (PSC) regimes.
From 1 January 2020, the new 0.5% m/m global limit for sulphur in fuel used on board ships comes into effect. Parties in the bunker chain i.e. those involved in the production, distribution, storage, handling and use of bunker fuels have expressed concerns over the practical implementation of this new global limit, a substantial drop from the current 3.5% m/m. A Joint Industry Project (JIP) was therefore established to raise awareness of the issues which might arise.
The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) met for its 74th session at the IMO Headquarters in London from 13-17 May. Below is a summary of the outcome from this meeting on the following topics
On 31 January 2019, the IMO updated its "List of National Operational Contact Points Responsible for the Receipt, Transmission and Processing of Urgent Reports on Incidents Involving Harmful Substances, Including Oil from Ships to Coastal States".
As Members may be aware from previous bulletins on the subject, new regulations related to Fuel Oil sulphur content will come into force from 01 Jan 2020. To prepare the maritime industry, various port states have released guidance on how changes will be implemented.
BWMC 2004- Update September 2016
09/09/2016
The IMO has announced that the Convention will enter into force on 8th September 2017 after Finland's ratification of the treaty brings the combined tonnage of contracting States to 35.1441%
Polar Code - Update
17/02/2016
IMO has adopted the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) which is expected to enter into force on the 1st January 2017. This marks an historic milestone in the protection of ships and both seafarers and passengers, in the harsh environment of the waters surrounding the two poles.
The HNS convention - Why it is needed
10/02/2016
The transport of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) by sea is a vital trade. Chemicals and other products underpin many manufacturing processes and IMO regulations ensure their safe transport. However, incidents do happen and the HNS Convention is the last piece in the puzzle needed to ensure that those who have suffered damage have access to a comprehensive and international liability and compensation regime.
IMO: Criteria for entry into force of BWM Convention not yet reached - further ratifications needed
21/01/2016
Further to the UK P&I Club's recent update on the BWMC 2004, the IMO confirmed on the 18th January 2016 that forty-seven countries have now ratified the convention, substantially more than the 30 required, but their combined fleets comprise, at most, 34.56 per cent of global tonnage, the 35% global tonnage required for the Convention to enter into force has yet to be attained.
Following the investigation into the loss of a 10 year old bulk carrier (the most likely cause being liquefaction of cargo) The IMO subcommittee on the Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) have issued a circular warning of the dangers of carrying Bauxite.
In recent week's more than 2000 migrants were rescued form the Mediterranean Sea, and several hundred lost their lives
IMO FAQs relating to new requirements relating to sulphur emissions that are due to enter into force in emission control areas on 1st January 2015
The International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, adopted at a Diplomatic Conference organised by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in Nairobi in 2007, will enter into force on 14th April 2015, 12 months after ten states have ratified it. Those 10 States are: Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, India, Iran, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Palau and the United Kingdom.
Amendments to increase the limits of liability in the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims were adopted by the Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), when the Committee met for its 99th session in London.