Govt to amend Merchant Shipping Act to accommodate two more IMO conventions

Anti-fouling systems convention which came into force on Sept 17, 2008 prohibits the use of harmful paints on ships

Moving towards a more sustainable future, both environmentally and socially, the Indian shipping industry is set to endorse two more International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions.

The anti-fouling systems convention which came into force on September 17, 2008 prohibits the use of harmful paints on ships is one and the other includes the maritime labour convention of 2006 assuring better work environment for the seafarers which was mooted by the International Labour Organisation.

The shipping ministry has got the cabinet nod to ratify both the conventions. They will be adopted after a Bill amending the Merchant Shipping Act is approved by Parliament.

For shipping industry, that has been in the red due to poor freight rates and rising fuel costs, meeting the IMO standards could prove to be another challenge. “Cost of compliance will manifest. Most conventions have been signed and the time to bring them into force is now close. If companies don’t comply then it could have trade repercussions,” said Hemant Bhattbhatt, senior director, Deloitte India.

Of the total 55 IMO conventions India has so far ratified 33. The maritime labour convention provides comprehensive rights and protection at work for more than 1.2 million seafarers of the world. The Convention “aims to achieve both decent work for seafarers and secure economic interests in fair competition for quality shipowners.”

One of the primary aims of IMO when it was created in 1948 was to control pollution created by maritime trade. With more stress on sustainability than ever before the international organization is pushing countries to fall in line with the best green practices.
 
“The anti-fouling convention prohibits the use of harmful organotins (compounds containing carbon) on the hull of the ships or external surfaces. Most Indian ships already follow this system,” a senior shipping ministry official said. The use of such paints is believed to harm the marine life and therefore the overall environment. The convention has been ratified by 65 countries so far.

“It is a good move, because it will now enable the India to enforce these rules on any vessel that calls on Indian waters. Most Indian shipowners already follow these conventions regardless of whether our flag state ratifies them or not, since we are working in a global environment,” said Anil Devli, president, Indian National Shipowners Association.

According to IMO 2.7% of man-made emissions are caused by ships. It aims that ships should bring down these emissions by 20% by 2020 and by 50% by 2050.