Council, 125th session (C 125), 28 June-2 July (remote session)

World Maritime theme for 2022

The Council endorsed the World Maritime Theme for 2022: "New technologies for greener shipping". The theme will provide an opportunity to focus on the importance of a sustainable maritime sector and the need to build back better and greener in a post pandemic world.

Read more here.

Rescheduling of MEPC 77 and IMO Council Extraordinary Session 34

The Council agreed to reschedule the next session of the IMO Council (Extraordinary Session 34) so that the next session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) would avoid a conflict in dates with the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which is being held in Glasgow, United Kingdom from 31 October to 12 November 2021. The Council will meet for its 34th Extraordinary Session (C/ES.34) from 8 to12 November.

MEPC 77 will be held from 22 to 26 November 2021. The MEPC 77 meeting will be preceded by meetings of the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 9 and ISWG-GHG 10). The ISWG-GHG 9 will meet 15 to 17 September and ISWG-GHG 10 will meet 18 to 22 October 2021.

The programme of meetings for the remainder of 2021 can be viewed here: https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/MeetingSummaries/Pages/default.aspx

IMO Assembly

The Council agreed to hold the IMO Assembly from 6 to 15 December as a remote session, taking into account the uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The election of Members of the IMO Council will take place by secret ballot in person.

Human element in the IMO Strategic Plan

The Council agreed, following a request by the Maritime Safety Committee, to include a new strategic direction on the human element in the Strategic Plan for the Organization for the six-year period 2018 to 2023.

The move reflects the key role of the human element in the safety of life on board ships, playing a prominent role in the prevention of maritime casualties. The human element's ever-increasing scope and significance in the safe, secure and environmentally sound operation of ships have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The updated 2018-2023 Strategic Plan for the Organization is expected to be adopted by the IMO Assembly, when it meets in December 2021.

The current strategic plan includes seven strategic directions: SD 1 Improve implementation; SD 2 Integrate new and advancing technologies in the regulatory framework; SD 3 Respond to climate change; SD 4 Engage in ocean governance; SD 5 Enhance global facilitation and security of international trade; SD 6 Ensure regulatory effectiveness; SD 7 Ensure organizational effectiveness.

The human element is currently included within the overarching principles of the plan. Its inclusion as a specific strategic direction recognizes its significance, particularly during the pandemic when the human element has been a focus for joint work with UN sister organizations, in particular ILO, ICAO and WHO. The human element has been the subject of numerous joint statements, resolutions, guidance and other provisions.

Joint IMO/ILO Working Group on seafarer issues

The Council endorsed the decision of the Maritime Safety Committee to approve, in principle, the establishment of a standing Joint International Labour Organization (ILO)/IMO Working Group to identify and address seafarers' issues and the human element, subject to approval of the group's method of work, as may be provided in the resolution to be adopted by the Special Tripartite Committee (STC) of ILO. The Legal Committee had previously decided that this group should be formed.

Council resolution on enhancement of ICT at IMO

The Council adopted a Council resolution on the enhancement of information and communications technologies (ICT) at IMO.

The resolution affirms efforts taken thus far by the Secretary-General to strengthen IMO's ICT capabilities, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution calls for continued use of e-conferencing platforms, noting that e-conferencing is not aimed at replacing physical meetings, but e-conferencing platforms may be used for additional support of IMO's work such as live streaming of meetings, webinars, or as a complement for correspondence groups, intersessional work and capacity building activities.

The IMO Secretary-General is requested to review policies and practices relating to ICT; explore options for e-conferencing platforms that provide interpretation service and work towards necessary arrangements for virtual meetings. The resolution also requests that necessary measures are taken to ensure that the ICT infrastructure at the IMO Headquarters is secure against cyberattacks.

Council reform – election to Council

The Working Group on Council reform met during the session. Following discussion of the Group's report the Council approved draft guidance on consistent application of Article 17 of the IMO Convention, for adoption by the IMO Assembly. Article 17 covers the election of Members of the Council, specifically that election under category (c) should ensure a wide geographic representation.

The guidance aims to facilitate compliance with the criteria in Article 17 of the IMO Convention, in particular the special interests in maritime transport or navigation; and to better reflect geographical distribution and representation, including small island developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs).

Reform – access to treaties

The Council endorsed a proposal to develop consolidated versions of IMO conventions, for use by States.

Reform – access to documents

The Council agreed that further documents on the IMODOCS (https://docs.imo.org/) document platform should be made public.

Notes Verbales and Circular Letters will be made public (unless they are deemed to contain sensitive or security information).

Documents submitted to intersessional working groups can be released to the public if authorized by the sponsoring Member State or organization.

Reform – live streaming of IMO meetings

The Working Group discussed measures to enhance access to information and transparency, including live streaming of IMO meetings. The Council requested the Secretary-General to conduct a comprehensive review of live streaming of IMO meetings to the public, including all financial, technical, and security implications. The Council further requested the Secretary‑General to provide information on the adopted policies and practices at the United Nations regarding the selection of meetings which were live streamed to the public.

Budget for 2022-2023

The Council approved, in principle, the regular budget outline for the 2022-2023 biennium of £75,671,000, comprising an appropriation of £37,350,000 for 2022 and an appropriation of £38,321,000 for 2023. The proposed budget will be submitted to the IMO Assembly for adoption.

IMO Member State Audit Scheme

Following the rescheduling of some audits due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council endorsed a revised audit schedule for Member States under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS). The Council also endorsed the use of a remote audit mechanism during the COVID-19 pandemic to be conducted according to the existing Framework and Procedures for the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (resolution A.1067(28)) without discarding the possibility of on-site audits, where feasible.

Since the commencement of mandatory audits of Member States under IMSAS, in February 2016, 76 audits had been conducted before the disruption caused by the pandemic.

Due to the pandemic, one audit was conducted in 2020, with the scheduled audits postponed. For the 24 audits scheduled for 2021, no audit has been conducted due to the pandemic, which rendered international travel unfeasible. Some audits are expected to may be conducted from September 2021 onwards using the remote mechanism endorsed by the Council. Currently, 25 audits are planned for 2022 and 34 Member States and one Associate Member are on the schedule for 2023. However, there are ongoing uncertainties surrounding international travel and there may be a need for further postponements of the overall audit schedule, which will need to remain flexible for some time.

In 2020 and 2021, the work related to follow-up audits for those Member States that were audited in 2016 and 2017 has continued.

International Maritime Prize

The Council unanimously decided to award the International Maritime Prize for 2020 to Mr. Paul Sadler, former representative of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Mr. Sadler also represented the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) at IMO meetings and served as a governor of the World Maritime University (WMU) for ten years.

The Council recognized Mr. Sadler's invaluable contribution, extending over many years, to the work and objectives of the Organization, in particular, and to the international maritime community as a whole.

Read more here.

IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea

A search and rescue officer from Viet Nam has been selected to receive the 2021 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea, after saving the lives of four people from a sunken cargo ship, in extreme weather and heavy seas.

Mr. Tran Van Khoi, Search and Rescue Officer of the Regional Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center No.II, Viet Nam Maritime Administration, was nominated by Viet Nam, for his extraordinary courage, determination and endurance.

Eight individuals or sets of nominees will receive certificates of commendation for their acts of bravery, while a further six will receive letters of commendation.

The recipients were selected by a Panel of Judges, whose recommendation was endorsed by the IMO Council.