International Maritime Organization (IMO)
IMO Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 68th Session was held on 15th May 2015 where MASA Vice President, YBhg. Dato’ Ir. Abdul Hak Amin represented MASA.
Below is the Meeting Summary for the aforementioned session:
• MARPOL Annex I amendments relating to oil residues adopted
• Extension of Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait PSSA adopted
• Ballast water management status and technologies reviewed
• Further development of energy-efficiency guidelines for ships
• EEDI review work to continue
• GHG reduction target for international shipping considered
• Revised air pollution guidance and requirements agreed
• Fuel oil availability review to be initiated this year
• Fuel oil quality correspondence group re-established
• Black carbon definition agreed
• Ship recycling convention – IHM Guidelines adopted
• Oil spill response guidance approved
IMO Maritime Security Committee (MSC) 95th Session was held on 12th June 2015. Mr. Hazrin Hassan represented MASA for the session.
Below is the summary of the session:
• IGF Code adopted
• Venting amendments adopted
• IMSBC Code amendments adopted, guidance approved
• Unsafe mixed migration by sea
• Passenger ship safety – draft SOLAS amendments on evacuation analysis approved
• Cyber security matters referred to MSC 96 and FAL 40
• Circular on definition of “high risk” piracy area agreed
• Ship-routing measures adopted
• Approval of amendments for future adoption
• Goal-based standards – work plan for further work on GBS-SLA agreed
• Guidelines and circulars approved
• The MSC approved a number of circulars giving guidance and guidelines
• Carrying industrial personnel – standards to be developed
• Standards for new onboard lifting appliances and winches to be developed
• IUU fishing – joint working group to meet in November
29th IMO General Assembly
The 29th Assembly of IMO was held in London at IMO Headquarters from 23 November to 2 December 2015. All 171 Member States and three Associate Members are entitled to attend the Assembly, which is IMO’s highest governing body. The intergovernmental organizations with which agreements of co-operation have been concluded and international non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO are also invited to attend.
The Assembly normally meets once every two years in regular session. It is responsible for approving the work programme, voting the budget and determining the financial arrangements of the Organization. It also elects the Organization’s 40-Member Council.
The Assembly of the International Maritime Organization has elected the following States to be Members of its Council for the 2016-2017 biennium:
Category (a) 10 States with the largest interest in providing international shipping services: China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States.
Category (b) 10 States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade: Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden.
Category (c) 20 States not elected under (a) or (b) above, which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the Council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world:
Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey.
