IAPH Insider- December 7, 2023

This edition covers:

• IAPH Insider highlight with Rhona Macdonald
• IMO adopts resolution on organised crime
• New IMO Council installed
• IAPH meets incoming IMO secretary-general
• Shipping and ports at COP 28
• IAPH presented at  ESCAP workshop 
• IAPH-MEDports seminar expands ESI audience
• APEC launches a new alumni platform
• Welcome to new members
• Member Port News
• World Maritime News
• Calendar of Events

IAPH Insider highlight with Rhona Macdonald

IMO adopts resolution on organised crime

The 33rd meeting of the IMO Assembly took place over the past two weeks from 27 November to 6 December. This meeting takes place once every two years and is responsible for approving the organisation’s work programme and budget for the next biennium. In line with the ongoing work of the IAPH Risk and Resilience Committee, IAPH co-sponsored a document submitted by Belgium, along with other Member States, proposing the adoption of a draft resolution on enhancing the framework of the fight against organised crime in the maritime sector. The draft resolution aims to raise awareness of the devastating effects of organised crime, underlining the importance of security awareness and building resilience. Security awareness is paramount in safeguarding ports, ships, and all individuals and organisations working in the maritime environment. In particular, port workers and seafarers are increasingly being targeted by organised crime to help facilitate the transportation of illicit goods, posing significant risks to their safety and wellbeing. During the plenary, delegations expressed differing views concerning amendments to existing IMO frameworks. Whilst several fully supported the proposals, some, including the UK, UAE, Argentina, and ICS, were of the view that such changes to the IMO frameworks were not appropriate at this time. Thus, whilst the Assembly ultimately agreed to adopt the draft resolution, it instead urged Member States and international organisations to submit proposals to the next meetings of MSC and FAL. IAPH will continue to follow this topic closely.

New IMO Council installed

Last Friday, the IMO Assembly elected the Members of its Council for the 2024-2025 biennium. The Council is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the IMO and will meet for its 131st session on 7 December following the conclusions of the 33rd Assembly. During the Assembly meeting, Member States placed their votes and elected the new members of the Council under three categories. Category (a) includes ten countries with the largest interest in providing international shipping services. China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Panama, the Republic of Korea, the UK and the US were elected. Category (b) includes ten countries with the largest interest in international seaborne trade. Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the UAE were elected. Finally, category (c) includes twenty countries not elected under (a) or (b), but 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. Bahamas, Bangladesh, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Turkey were elected.

IAPH meets incoming IMO secretary-general

The IMO Assembly also confirmed the appointment of Arsenio Dominguez, as new secretary-general of the organisation. Arsenio Dominguez had been elected by the IMO Council last July and his mandate will officially start on 1 January 2024 for an initial term of four years. He succeeds Kitack Lim in the role, who was IMO secretary-general for two terms. Prior to the Assembly meeting, a delegation of IAPH, including president Jens Meier, former president Santiago Garcia-Milà, managing director Patrick Verhoeven and IMO liaison and policy officer Rhona Macdonald met with the incoming secretary-general at the IMO headquarters in London for a first, informal encounter.

Shipping and ports at COP 28

IMO has presented its latest work on reducing GHG emission from ships, including the adoption of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, at the opening day of the 28^th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP 28) meeting in Dubai, UAE. The IMO submission was presented by Camille Bourgeon from the IMO Secretariat. In July, IMO adopted the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, with a commitment to reach net-zero GHG emissions by or around, i.e. close to, 2050, taking into account different national circumstances. IMO will take part in a number of maritime events happening during COP 28, including the side-event held by UNCTAD and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the Shaping the Future of Shipping Summit organised by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). IAPH president Jens Meier and managing director Patrick Verhoeven will participate in the latter event, which focuses on the further development of the Clean Energy Marine Hubs (CEM Hubs) initiative.

IAPH presented at  ESCAP workshop 

IAPH-MEDports seminar expands ESI audience

Calendar of Events

IAPH events and events where IAPH is represented