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Action plan agreed to reduce underwater noise from ships
The Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC) has agreed on an Action Plan to further prevent and reduce underwater radiated noise (URN) from ships. The aim is to minimize the adverse effects of underwater noise on the marine environment, particularly on marine wildlife and indigenous communities.
Training to support maritime security in the Red Sea Area
Port facility personnel with designated security duties in Djibouti have received training to identify potential security threats and take action to prevent risks to port facilities. The workshop (21-25 January) was organised by IMO through the EU-funded Regional Programme on Maritime Security in the Red Sea Area, bringing together 38 participants.
Port facility security auditors trained in Morocco
Senior officials from Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia completed a week-long regional training course in conducting port facility security audits, which are essential to ensure the security of ports and ships.
The IMO Regional Training Course for Port Facility Security Auditors was held in Casablanca from 15 to 19 January, hosted by the Direction of the Marine Merchant (Ministry of Transport and Logistics), in collaboration with the National Ports Agency of Morocco.
Marshall Islands becomes Party to Hong Kong ship recycling Convention
Marshall Islands has become a Party to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (Hong Kong Convention).Mr. Nicholas Makar, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, Republic of the Marshall Islands, deposited the instrument of accession with IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez at IMO Headquarters in London (18 January).
Seafarer safety comes first in Red Sea
Seafarer safety is paramount in the context of the Red Sea and attacks on international shipping. During a meeting with shipping industry representatives (18 January) at IMO Headquarters in London, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez reiterated the message that seafarers are innocent victims in the volatile Red Sea situation. Secondly, freedom of navigation must be upheld, to guarantee global trade and the flow of goods by sea. Further, there must be caution and restraint to avoid further escalation of the situation in the Red Sea and broader area, Mr. Dominguez said, referencing the UN Security Council Resolution 2722 (2024) on the Red Sea.
Trinidad and Tobago strengthens skills to respond to oil spills
A national workshop in Trinidad and Tobago is providing government workers with crucial skills to prepare for and respond to oil spills.
From 16 to 19 January, 45 personnel and managers from across the country are undergoing IMO training to deepen their knowledge and skills to be able to handle such disasters.
UN agencies align actions to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing
The IMO, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are boosting coordination to tackle Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
To discuss the issue, the Joint FAO/ILO/IMO Ad Hoc Working Group on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing and Related Matters met for its 5th session in Geneva, Switzerland from 8-12 January 2024.
Statement on the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2722 (2024) on Red Sea
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said:
“I welcome and support the United Nations Security Council’s resolution affirming the exercise of navigational rights and freedom by merchant vessels, in accordance with international law, must be respected."
Albania gears up for single window platform to ease maritime traffic
Albanian authorities have received essential training and guidance on the use of Maritime Single Window systems, which are expected to greatly enhance the efficiency of shipping worldwide.
Since 1 January 2024, governments around the world are required to use a single digital platform or ‘window’ to share and exchange information with ships when they call at ports.