An Invitation to the IMO

World Maritime Day at the IMO

A beautifully warm, sunny, Thursday afternoon for #worldmaritimeday 2018.

 The flags of the 174 members whipping in the light breeze, the IMO flag highest of all atop the building.

Such a special day to be touring the IMO HQ, on the 70th Anniversary year on world maritime day, thanks to an invite from InterManager.

The tour included discussions on artefacts and gifts given by the member nations. The light in the entrance, made of 314 ceramic anchors, given by the UK in 2006 and made in Staffordshire, includes one fish - I didn't find it. Look closer and it's a world map. Not to be too patriotic but it was amazing and my favourite.

 Into the plenary.  Awaiting the arrival of the Secretary General. Delayed by a signing ceremony...what has been signed off I wonder?

 Photo opportunity!

Getting down to business

Once proceedings were underway we took a vote. True or False for SOLAS being the first convention? I got it wrong...as did Karen and 98% of the room. 

We're all shipping professionals…honest! Including me the recruiter.

The first convention came after the sinking of the SS Princess Alice on the Thames in 1878 - “all collisions might in future be avoided if proper and stringent rules and regulations were laid down for all steam navigation on the River Thames”.

It was the sinking of the Titanic that lead to SOLAS in 1914 which has been one of the most important conventions, followed by the Plimsoll Mark for safe loading and the 1966 load lines regulation.

 I voted, I was powerful...for all of 10 seconds.

 More importantly, I was educated.

One of the main purposes of the IMO is “to encourage the removal of discriminatory action and unnecessary restrictions by Governments affecting shipping…to promote the availability of shipping services to the commerce of the world without discrimination”

In 1961 it had seven NGOs and 21 member states. Fast forward to 2018 that's now 81 NGOs and 174 member states. The world clearly needs shipping, without restriction and without discrimination. 

We heard from NGOs including the - International Chamber of Shipping, and the newest, WISTA about their contribution as non-governmental organisations and how they will continue to do so.

The IMO and the future

"IMO 70: Our Heritage - better shipping for a better future" was the rhetoric. "Success [will be] based on collaboration, co-operation and communication" was the message from Kitack Lim.

It took 12 years to ratify ballast water treatment due to how it was worded. That's some serious collaboration, co-operation and communication. Couldn't we speed it up a bit though?

The IMO is changing. But it has challenges for sure. How will this organisation keep pace with technology?

 There was a great, simple and direct answer from Bridget Cosgrave.

 "With this!"

 She raised her smart phone in hand. 

 "Everyone has one!"

 Silence.

 “You have great campaigns, you can reach so many people, so easily."

The plenary was a little stunned, but no one disagreed. A silent affirmation of nodding heads.

Even more tech talk, with the focus on MASS - the topic of completely crew-less, autonomous ships. 

"This is a very real possibility in the future." 

 How is the IMO looking at this differently?

It can’t be accused of resting on its laurels and waiting for a disaster to happen before it acts. And not on this topic so it seems, just like pre-empting what could go wrong, and putting in place preventative measures for gas as a marine fuel.

 Collaboration, cooperation and communication?

Getting a little less serious

Another true or false. I didn’t care I got this one wrong because I was amazed and entertained.

Did you know that the IMO held a meeting in the late 1960s in a swimming pool? In the name of safety civil servants jumped into a swimming pool to test life vests to see if they would work or not. If the civil servant floated they passed, if they didn't, well...

 Not sure if this is prevention or cure?

Time for more voting, talking and education. And of course, the all-important networking. New faces, familiar faces, catch ups, introductions and even a bit of business.

 A great speech for the second time today from the Secretary General. Out the plenary, the tone was more relaxed; a retirement presentation and the inclusion of jovial threats to sing by Mr. Lim! However, he left that to evening’s entertainment to a folklore performance from Poland - host of the 2018 World Maritime Day Parallel Event.  

If you could have your day at the IMO, collaborate, co-operate and communicate, and change one thing in a day (not 12 years) what would you change, and why?