How the IMO is meeting the challenges of dealing with maritime safety and security – an overview

1. How the IMO is meeting the challenges of dealing with maritime safety and security – an overview Neil Frank R. Ferrer Ocean Concerns Office Department of Foreign Affairs Philippines 2010 Year of the Seafarer Forum 26 June 2010, Manila, Philippines

2. Preliminary remarks The role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – development of comprehensive regulatory framework for international shipping Pillars of international maritime regulation: SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW (plus ILO’s new International Maritime Labour Convention) Jurisdiction of flag/port State

3. Preliminary remarks Work of the Maritime Safety Committee Proactive approach Highest practicable standards Wide acceptance Proper and effective implementation Consideration of capacity building Consensus decision-making

4. Preliminary remarks Cooperation with other international organizations – e.g. ILO, IHO, ITU, ICAO, IMSO Participation of the industry and non-governmental organizations Success of IMO regulations – decline of ship losses and oil spills for the past four decades

5. Backdrop – Global economic slowdown in 2009 Contraction of world trade (about 10 percent) Low demand, excess tonnage – dramatic collapse in freight rates; drop in ship values All sectors affected – containerships, bulk carriers, tankers

6. Backdrop – Global economic slowdown in 2009 Containerships have lost about USD20 billion Expected economic recovery from 2010 Maritime safety and security should not be sacrificed

7. MSC 87 – major outcomes Adoption of amendments to SOLAS and mandatory Codes Measures to enhance maritime security Goal-based new ship construction standards Long-range identification and tracking of ships Various decisions in relation to Sub-Committees’ reports

8. MSC 87 – major outcomes Role of the human element Formal safety assessment Piracy and armed robbery against ships Work programme – endorsement of unplanned outputs IMO/IACS Quality System Certification Scheme

9. Goal-based standards (GBS) Adoption of GBS for the construction of bulk carriers and oil tankers and SOLAS amendments to make GBS mandatory GBS Verification Guidelines  Guidelines for information to be included in a Ship Construction File  GBS Trust Fund

10. Goal-based standards (GBS) Implementation of the verification scheme Timetable for implementation Generic GBS Guidelines

11. 2010: Year of the seafarer Comprehensive revisions to the STCW Convention and Code Go to sea campaign Shore leave for seafarers Incorporation of human element principles into the Committee’s Guidelines Post-piracy care of seafarers

12. Piracy and armed robbery against ships Revised Guidance for Governments and industry Revised Code of practice for investigation Promulgation of BMP and IRTC Djibouti Code of Conduct International cooperation – UNSC, CGPCS

14. Long-range identification and tracking of ships (LRIT) • Completion of the LRIT system – need to accelerate the establishment of LRIT data centres • Establishment of the International LRIT data exchange • Establishment of a distribution facility for the provision of LRIT information to security forces in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean

15. Concluding notes • IMO’s continuing relevance; growth in membership • Strong commitment and active participation of Member States • Challenges remain; need to maintain effective and consistent global regulations (as opposed to unilateral or regional measures)

16. Concluding notes • IMO Member State Audit Scheme • Ensure effective application/enforcement of IMO regulations • Ratification of key IMO Conventions • Marine casualty investigations • Cooperation at various levels: sharing best practices/lessons learned; information exchanges

17. THANK YOU! neil.ferrer@gmail.com neil.ferrer@dfa.gov.ph T: +63 (0)2 834 3134 +63 (0)2 834 4052 F: +63 (0)2 831 4767