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Latin American countries push coordinated work to tackle marine plastic litter
Ensuring litter does not reach the sea from shipping and fisheries in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans is a key ambition for countries in Latin America. Seven countries in the region have set out their priorities for regional action, during a meeting in Brasilia, Brazil (8-12 April): the Latin America Regional Task Force Meeting and Workshop, held under the GloLitter Partnerships Project.
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IMO biofouling project to address biodiversity threat extended
IMO’s TEST Biofouling project has received the greenlight to continue its work to tackle the transfer of invasive species via ships’ hulls for another year. A no-cost extension signed between IMO and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) will extend the TEST Biofouling project until 31 December 2026.
Legal Committee finalizes new guidelines on seafarer criminalization
IMO’s Legal Committee has finalized a new set of guidelines to ensure seafarers are protected against unfair treatment if detained in foreign jurisdictions on suspicion of committing a crime. The fair treatment of seafarers was high on the agenda of the Legal Committee’s 111st session, which took place from 22 to 26 April at IMO headquarters in London.
Port State Control Officers boost their maritime security skills
Where do you start if asked to inspect a ship? Does the ship conform with IMO treaties? Should the ship be detained? Those are the types of questions that port state control officers must answer to ensure adequate security and safety standards are met. Participants from Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen are meeting in Mombasa, Kenya (22-26 April) to receive training on these issues.
Maritime Technology Global Challenge - solutions for decarbonization selected
Funding is being released to develop detailed technical proposals to help accelerate decarbonisation of selected domestic vessels and ports in Africa and the Caribbean, as part of the Maritime Technology Global Challenge, under the IMO CARES (Coordinated Actions to Reduce Emissions from Shipping) project.
IMO’s maritime law institute celebrates 35 years of training success
The IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMO-IMLI) celebrated its 35th anniversary with testimonies from alumni and discussions about how to shape its future. IMO-IMLI was founded in 1988 in Malta, and began its first programme in 1989. Its aim is to strengthen the capacity and expertise of Member States in all aspects of international maritime law.
Port security training in Kenya tackles maritime security threats
What do port security personnel do in the event of a bomb threat or spillage of dangerous goods at the port? These are the kind of scenarios explored in an inter-agency workshop in Mombasa, Kenya on maritime security. Running from 16 to 18 April, it is the latest in a series of IMO maritime security workshops on control and compliance, delivered under the EU-funded project on Port Security and Safety of Navigation in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean.
Regional workshop prepares Caribbean countries for IMO audits
Senior maritime administrators from seven Caribbean countries completed a regional workshop in preparation for forthcoming audits under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS). The workshop took place in Kingston, Jamaica (8-12 April), organized by IMO and the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, as host country.
Industry experts call for stronger national legislation on domestic ferry safety in Africa
African countries have been urged to develop and update national legislation to include adequate measures to ensure domestic ferry safety. A regional seminar held 16 to 17 April by IMO and Interferry in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, aimed to address the frequent high number of casualties in the region.