IMO secretary-general Lim Ki-tack briefly outlined the history of the MSC, which first met in 1959 formed of just 14 Member States. He noted that the maritime industry had come a long way on safety matters since then, not least thanks to “unswerving commitment” of the MSC to reduce the number of marine casualties and incidents.
The event then looked at some future safety challenges facing the industry, including presentations on autonomous and remote controlled vessel operations by Rolls-Royce and Wärtsilä.
There was also a presentation from the ITF (International Transport Workers Federation) which concluded with the sentiment that seafarers would be ready to accept new technologies if they are proved to be safer than what we have now.
“As we look towards the future of the MSC, a number of key issues are on the table before us,” concluded the IMO secretary-general. “They will require our combined continuous efforts to reach sound, balanced and timely decisions, in order to continue the long and impressive record of this Committee’s work over the past 100 sessions.”