IMO says its film showing how the IMO Polar Code supports safe and environmentally-friendly shipping in the Arctic and Antarctic waters is being screened at the NEVA 2017 International Maritime Exhibition and Conference (19-22 September), in St Petersburg, Russia. IMO's Assistant Secretary-General Lawrence Barchue delivered the opening address, updating the audience on regulatory standards affecting the safety of international shipping, fishing and offshore operations and the protection of the marine environment. Mr Barchue also spoke of the importance of sharing a common understanding on the issues that affect the maritime community today.
IMO`s Mikhail Gappoev also attended the event, to take part in the Arctic Round table looking at issues and opportunities associated with, Arctic ecology, transport development and the application of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters.
MO Secretary-General Kitack Lim also visited Russia (16-20 September) for a series of high-level meetings with ministers and officials. After talks in Moscow with the Minister and Deputy Minister of Transport and the Head of the Federal Marine and River Transport Agency, Mr Lim moved on to Vladivostok. There he visited the sail training ship "Nadezhda" (pictured) and the Admiral Nevelskoy Maritime State University before speaking at the opening of a meeting of the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control.
Port State Control is the process, supported by IMO, by which officials in ports can board visiting foreign-flag vessels to verify compliance with international safety and pollution standards. In a speech to the meeting, Mr Lim praised Port State Control officers as being the “front line” of effective implementation for IMO’s global shipping regulations and hinted at an expanded role embracing education and advocacy.