Merchant Shipping Act to be amended

The govt to accommodate two more International Maritime Organisation conventions

The Indian shipping industry is all set to endorse two more International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions, with the Union shipping ministry getting Cabinet nod to ratify both conventions. They will be adopted after a Bill amending the Merchant Shipping Act is approved by Parliament.

One of the conventions is the anti-fouling systems convention, which came into force on September 17, 2008, and prohibits the use of harmful paints on ships.

One of the primary aims of the 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 organisation 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 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 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 these or not, since we are working in a global environment," said Anil Devli, president, Indian National Shipowners Association.

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

The second is the maritime labour convention of 2006, assuring a better work environment for seafarers, mooted by the International Labour Organisation. The 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."

Of the total 55 IMO conventions, India has so far ratified 33.

For the Indian shipping industry which 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, there could be trade repercussions," said Hemant Bhatt, senior director, Deloitte India.

CONVENTION CALL
| The Union shipping ministry will get Cabinet nod to ratify two more International Maritime Organisation conventions
| The first is the anti-fouling systems convention, which came into force on September 17, 2008, and prohibits the use of harmful paints on ships

| The second is the maritime labour convention of 2006, assuring a better work environment for seafarers, mooted by the International Labour Organisation
| Of the total 55 IMO conventions, India has so far ratified 33
| For the Indian shipping industry which has been in the red due to poor freight rates and rising fuel costs, meeting the IMO standards could prove to be another challenge