INTERNATIONAL MARITIME CONVENTIONS

PRESENTED BY : Assit.Prof. Dr. Tevfik ARSLAN

Source: IMO webpage, www.imo.org

INTRODUCTION

The industrial revolution of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and the upsurge in international commerce which followed resulted in the adoption of a number of international treaties related to shipping, including safety.  The subjects covered included tonnage measurement, the prevention of collisions, signalling and others.

INTRODUCTION

By the end of the nineteenth century suggestions had even been made for the creation of a permanent international maritime body to deal with these and future measures.  The plan was not put into effect, but international co-operation continued in the twentieth century, with the adoption of still more internationally developed treaties.

INTRODUCTION

By the time IMO came into existence in 1958, several important international conventions had already been developed, including the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1948, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil of 1954 and treaties dealing with load lines and the prevention of collisions at sea.

INTRODUCTION

IMO was made responsible for ensuring that the majority of these conventions were kept up to date.  It was also given the task of developing new conventions as and when the need arose.

INTRODUCTIONThe creation of IMO coincided with a period of

tremendous change in world shipping and the Organization was kept busy from the start developing new conventions and ensuring that existing instruments kept pace with changes in shipping technology.  It is now responsible for more than 40 international conventions and agreements and has adopted numerous protocols and amendments.

LIST OF IMO CONVENTIONS

A. Maritime safety1.International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 19742.International Convention on Load Lines (LL), 19663.International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC), 1972

LIST OF IMO CONVENTIONS

4.Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG), 1972

5.Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT), 1976

6.The Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels (SFV), 1977

LIST OF IMO CONVENTIONS

7.International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978

8.International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F), 1995

9. International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), 1979

LIST OF IMO CONVENTIONS

B.Marine pollution1.International Convention for the

Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78)

2.International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties (INTERVENTION), 1969

LIST OF IMO CONVENTIONS

3.Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (LDC), 1972

4.International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC), 1990

5.Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances, 2000 (HNS Protocol)

LIST OF IMO CONVENTIONS

6.International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships (AFS), 2001

7.International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004

LIST OF IMO CONVENTIONS

C.Liability and compensation1.International Convention on Civil

Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC), 1969

2.International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage (FUND), 1971

LIST OF IMO CONVENTIONS

3.Convention relating to Civil Liability in the Field of Maritime Carriage of Nuclear Material (NUCLEAR), 1971

4.Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea (PAL), 1974

5.Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC), 1976

LIST OF IMO CONVENTIONS

6.International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (HNS), 1996

7.International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001

LIST OF IMO CONVENTIONS

D. Other subjects1.Convention on Facilitation of

International Maritime Traffic (FAL), 19652.International Convention on Tonnage

Measurement of Ships (TONNAGE), 19693.Convention for the Suppression of

Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA), 1988

4.International Convention on Salvage (SALVAGE), 1989

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA

Adoptation : 1 November 1974

Entry into force : 25 May 1980

Parts of Convention:

Introduction and history

Amendment Procedure

Technical Provision

Chapter One- General Provisions

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA

• Chapter II-1-Construction-subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical installation.

• Chapter II-2 Fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction.

• Chapter III- Life saving appliances and arrangements.

• Chapter IV- Radio communication.

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA

• Chapter V- Safety of navigation.• Chapter VI- Carriage of cargoes.• Chapter VII- Carriage of dangerous

goods.• Chapter VIII- Nuclear ships.• Chapter IX- Management for the safe

operation of ships.• Chapter X-Safety measures for high

speed craft

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA

• Chapter XI-1- Special measures to enhance maritime safety.

• Chapter XI-2-Special measures to enhance maritime security.

• Chapter XII- Additional safety measures for bulk carriers.

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION FROM THE SHIPS,1973, AS MODIFIED BY THE

PROTOCOL OF 1978 RELATING THERETO (MARPOL 73/78)

MARPOL 73/78

• Annex I- Prevention of pollution by oil.• Annex II-Control of pollution by noxious

liquid substances.• Annex III-Prevention of pollution by harmfull

substances in packaged form.• Annex IV- Prevention of pollution by sewage

from ships.• Annex V-Prevention pollution by garbage

from ship.• Annex VI-Prevention of air pollution from

ships.

International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping

for Seafarers, 1978

• Adoption : 7 July 1978

• Entry into force: 28 April 1984

• The 1995 amendments, which completely revised the Convention, entered into force on 1 February 1997

STCW 1995 AMENDMENTS

• The 1995 amendments, adopted by a Conference, represented a major revision of the Convention, in response to a recognized need to bring the Convention up to date and to respond to critics who pointed out the many vague phrases, such as "to the satisfaction of the Administration", which resulted in different interpretations being made.

STCW 1995 AMENDMENTS

• One of the major features of the revision was the division of the technical annex into regulations, divided into Chapters as before, and a new STCW Code, to which many technical regulations have been transferred. Part A of the Code is mandatory while Part B is recommended.

STCW 1995 AMENDMENTS

• Chapter I- General Provisions.

• Chapter II-Master and deck department

• Chapter III-Engine department

• Chapter IV- Radiocommunication and radio personnel.

• Chapter V- Special training requirements for personnel on certain types of ships.

STCW 1995 AMENDMENTS

Chapter VI- Emergency, occupational safety, medical care and survival functions.

Chapter VII-Alternative certification

Chapter VIII: Watchkeeping

STCW 1995 AMENDMENTS

• The STCW CodeThe regulations contained in the Convention are supported by sections in the STCW Code. Generally speaking, the Convention contains basic requirements which are then enlarged upon and explained in the Code.

STCW 1995 AMENDMENTS

• Part A of the Code is mandatory. The minimum standards of competence required for seagoing personnel are given in detail in a series of tables. Chapter II of the Code, for example, deals with standards regarding the master and deck department.

STCW 1995 AMENDMENTS

• Part B of the Code contains recommended guidance which is intended to help Parties implement the Convention. The measures suggested are not mandatory and the examples given are only intended to illustrate how certain Convention requirements may be complied with. However, the recommendations in general represent an approach that has been harmonized by discussions within IMO and consultation with other international organizations.