September 25 marks United Nations World Maritime Day, a day when Australians should join the global community to recognise and celebrate the essential contribution of the maritime industry to the world’s development and prosperity.
This year the theme is: IMO Conventions: Effective Implementation
“Australia has a good reputation for effective implementation of those conventions that we have ratified, the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention is a good example”, Shipping Australia CEO, Rod Nairn said.
“Australia’s prosperity is entirely dependent on the sea and in order to maintain an efficient shipping environment we should align with international protocols. There are still a number of conventions that Australia has not yet ratified and this creates some level of uncertainty and potentially increases insurance costs for ships operating here.”
The IMO is focussing on a number of Treaties that are still to enter into force particularly: the Ballast Water management convention, the Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling, the Nairobi Convention on the removal of wrecks, the 2010 Protocol to the Hazardous and Noxious Substances Convention and the Cape Town Agreement of 2012 to implement the Torremolinos Protocol on safety of fishing vessels.
Of course, priority should be given to those Conventions which facilitate or improve maritime safety, improve working conditions for seafarers and establish a liability and compensation regime. “Australia has not ratified the Nairobi wreck convention even though it will enter force next year”, Rod Nairn said.
“A healthy maritime industry is absolutely vital to Australia, but something that is largely taken for granted. This World Maritime Day helps to put the focus on the standardisation of international maritime protocols.”
Editor’s Note:
For additional information contact Rod Nairn, chief executive officer on 0449 902 457.
Shipping Australia is a peak national shipping association comprising 34 member shipping lines and shipping agents that would be involved with over 70 per cent of Australia’s container and car trade, over 60 per cent of our break bulk and bulk trades, and significant cruise ship and tug operations.
