IMO okays PHL plan on maritime standards

IMO okays PHL plan on maritime standards
Lorenz S. Marasigan June 17, 2020 https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/06/17/imo-okays-phl-plan-on-maritime-...

THE International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member State Audit Scheme (Imsas) Council has approved the Philippines’s strategy in enforcing global maritime standards, a plan that boosts the country’s hurdling of an industry evaluation slated for 2022.

In a statement, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) said the Imsas gave a thumbs up on two “vital documents for the mandatory audit,” namely, the Cross Table of Responsibilities and the draft Philippine Strategy on the Implementation and Enforcement of Relevant IMO Instruments. Transportation Assistant Secretary for Maritime Narciso A. Vingson Jr. said the two documents are required to fulfill the audit requirements of the IMO.

He explained that the Cross Table delineates the obligations and interrelationship among maritime entities performing flag State, port State and coastal State functions as prescribed by the relevant IMO Instruments.

On the other hand, the Philippine Strategy aims to enhance maritime safety and protection of the environment and to meet international obligations and responsibilities as a member of the IMO.

“While this Strategy prepares us to the upcoming 2022 audit, this document serves as a sustainable solution in ensuring that despite frequent changes in leadership or shifting of priorities, our fulfillment in full and effective implementation of the IMO Conventions remains on top of our efforts,“ he said.

Originally slated for 2020 and 2021, the IMO audit of the Philippines was deferred by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vingson noted that the Philippine Strategy ensures that stakeholders “can remain confident that the Philippines remains focused in promoting a safe, secure and efficient sustainable maritime transport system that minimizes pollution while conserving energy and available resources.”