World Maritime Day 2014 objectives

Mr Sekimizu said that the theme provided an opportunity to shine a spotlight on those IMO treaty instruments which have not yet entered into force, as well as wider and more effective implementation of measures already agreed or in place.

“The adoption of an IMO convention cannot be the end of a process. A conference is held, the text agreed, there are handshakes all round. But it’s not the end of the process. It should be just the end of the beginning. Because an IMO convention is only worthwhile and meaningful if it is effectively and universally implemented,” he said.

Treaties still to enter into force include the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments 2004 and the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships 2009.

Mr Sekimizu noted that implementation of IMO measures was, ultimately, the responsibility of the Member States and the industry, while the forthcoming mandatory audit scheme for Member States would be an important tool for assessing Member States’ performance in meeting IMO obligations.