The long road to IMO convention ratification

Sekimizu certainly does have a point. Take for example the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, which was adopted with much hoo haa at a diplomatic conference in 2009, sits with ratification by a solitary state, Norway.

The vast amount of time and effort that was spent drafting this convention has so far come to naught. Even when it does reach the required ratification of 15 states, representing 40% of global merchant shipping gross tonnage, it will take another 24 months to come into force.

As Sekimizu noted earlier this year the convention may not be perfect but it is the only instrument of its type to improve the safety and working conditions of workers in the shipbreaking industry.

The Hong Kong Convention is not the only one to sit gathering dust as it awaits enough ratifications before it can finally enter into force. Sekimizu probably was heartened last week to see Denmark become the 10th state to ratify the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal Wrecks, which was adopted in 2007. It will now come into force on 14 April 2015, a mere eight years after adoption.

Another classic case in point is the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM Convention), which Sekimizu is pushing for ratification of this year, with only one more state required. This looks most likely to be Japan, with Singapore having taken a step back according to industry sources.

The BWM Convention has already passed its original timetable for implementation, and as the landscape has continued to evolve for tackling invasive species, found itself under criticism from the industry not being fit for purpose. It was heartening then to hear Sekimizu say at the Seatrade Awards in London last week he was keen to hear the industry’s proposals for amendments at the next MEPC meeting later in the year.

International conventions do need to be ratified and implemented as there is no point in having them otherwise, but the concerns of the industry also need to be heard and addressed.