In a new year address at the first meeting at the IMO in 2014 Sekimizu set out a number of objectives he is aiming for this and across the period 2014 – 15.
Among these he said, “We should seriously aim at adoption of a mandatory polar code this year.”
Sekimizu has taken a particular interest in the development of Arctic Shipping and last year undertook a fact-finding voyage on the Northern Sea Route (NSR). In his speech he noted the increased shipping activity in the NSR and exploration by the oil and gas industry.
“Over the holidays, we were once again reminded of the hazards associated with operating in polar waters when the Russian research ship Akademik Shokalskiy was trapped by ice in the Antarctic and the 52 scientists, journalists and tourists on board had to be rescued by helicopter and transferred to the Australian icebreaker, Aurora Australis.
“These developments reinforce the need for the Organization to finalise the code for ships operating in polar waters this year in order to protect these unique and sensitive sea areas,” Sekimizu said.
Targets from the previous year of eliminating maritime piracy and halving the number of casualties remain this year as well.
Also this year Sekimizu would like to see the conditions of entry into force of the Ballast Water Management Convention met this year.
This fits with the theme of World Maritime Day 2014 “IMO conventions: effective implementation” which was launched on Monday evening. “Through it, we will have the opportunity to put a spotlight on those IMO treaty instruments which have not yet entered into force,” Sekimizu said at the launch reception.
The first convention that he highlighted in his speech was the Ballast Water Management Convention.
“The Ballast Water Management Convention, for example, was adopted a decade ago and is still not in force. But, with 38 contracting parties to date, the only outstanding entry-into-force condition is the tonnage requirement,” he said.
The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships is also on the IMO secretary-general’s radar for quick ratification, having only been ratified by one state in four years.
“The Hong Kong Convention may not be perfect; but it is the best and only workable instrument on ship recycling currently available for international shipping. Its entry into force would both improve the safety of workers in this industry and enhance protection of the environment,” Sekimizu stated.
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