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Business Standard
12 hours ago
- General
- Business Standard
India seeks tighter container safety, cargo disclosure norms in IMO meet
After multiple incidents of vessel sinking and fires off Indian coasts, India has asked the United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) to tighten container safety and cargo disclosure norms on a 'war footing'. The development comes at the heels of IMO's ongoing session of the Maritime Safety Committee, where India brought up the recent sinking of the Liberian-flagged vessel MSC ELSA 3 and a fire aboard the MV Wan Hai 503, which, according to officials aware of the matter, has still not been completely extinguished. 'These incidents highlight urgent safety concerns regarding cargo carriage on container ships. India urges a global review of packaging, stowage, and monitoring protocols of containerised cargoes, especially lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and plastic nurdles. The four incidents in quick succession within three weeks demand immediate action from stakeholders to protect seafarers' lives and the livelihoods of Indian fishermen and coastal communities,' the Indian delegation said at the maritime watchdog's safety meeting. India's stand at the meeting is that reliance solely on shipper declarations is not adequate — a call made repeatedly in the past by sector watchers around the globe. Shipowners/managers, especially container shipping lines, must adopt technology and take responsibility to prevent such incidents in a transparent manner. 'What is in a box can't be a mystery anymore. India calls on the IMO to develop stronger regulatory mechanisms for the safety of container ships, cargo management, and crew protection on a war footing,' the Indian delegation said. According to reports, MV Wan Hai 503 was carrying flammable solids (IMO Class 4.1) in 20 containers — including extremely flammable nitrocellulose with alcohol in two containers, naphthalene (crude or refined) in 12 containers, and flammable liquids in multiple containers. The vessel is also carrying over 4,900 kilograms of a spontaneously combustible (IMO Class 4.2) organometallic substance, which can combust when in contact with air and reacts with water. On May 25, MSC ELSA 3 sank 30 nautical miles southwest of Kochi. It carried 13 containers with International Maritime Dangerous Goods cargoes. Local reports, however, show a continued flow of plastic nurdles on the coast of Kerala, which are being cleaned up by local authorities. The Singapore-flagged Wan Hai 503 suffered an underdeck explosion and fire. The vessel carried 147 dangerous containers. Firefighting and towing operations, coordinated by the Directorate General of Shipping, are ongoing to prevent ecological harm. Both these incidents have caused major environmental damage to coastal fishing communities in Kerala — 65 containers have fallen overboard, many yet to be traced. Two more incidents involving vessels with flammable substances have also taken place in recent weeks off the coasts of Mumbai and Kerala. Safety investigations are ongoing, and India will share the findings of these probes at the next meeting of the Maritime Safety Committee. While the next committee meeting is scheduled for May 2026, a meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee is scheduled for October. 'Though these incidents involved foreign vessels and crew from other nationalities, we activated rapid search and rescue and emergency response,' India said.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Iran and Israel trade accusations at UN shipping agency over sea lanes
LONDON - Iran and Israel accused each other of endangering commercial activity in sea lanes around the Gulf and the Red Sea at the UN's shipping agency on Wednesday, as their military conflict escalated. Iran's delegation told a session of the International Maritime Organization's security committee that Israel had in recent days extended its "unlawful attacks" to include petrochemical and gas infrastructure in Asalouyeh along Iran's Gulf coast. "These actions directly endanger international maritime security and the global energy supply chain," Iran said in a statement to IMO delegates, which was livestreamed. "If the international community fails to take urgent and concrete measures to halt this unlawful aggression, the risk of escalation at sea becomes imminent." Iran has previously threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz to traffic in retaliation for Western pressure. Any closure of the strait could restrict trade and affect global oil prices. Commercial ships are being advised by maritime agencies to avoid Iran's waters around Hormuz, shipping sources said on Wednesday. Former Iranian Economy Minister Ehsan Khandouzi has said that tankers and liquified natural gas cargoes should only transit the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian permission. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected Donald Trump's demand for unconditional surrender on Wednesday, and the U.S. president said his patience had run out, though he gave no clue as to what his next step would be. Israel's mission told delegates the IMO's foundational principle of global maritime navigation safety was being "openly and aggressively threatened" by Iran, partly through support of Yemen's Houthi militia, whose attacks have severely disrupted shipping through the Suez Canal and Red Sea in recent years. "Iran has turned our whole region and the Red Sea specifically into a war zone. Through its political, financial and military backing of the Houthi rebels, Iran has enabled a campaign of maritime terrorism against civilian vessels," Israel said. "It seeks to weaponize the world's busiest sea lanes, hold international shipping hostage, and impose its will through violence." The London-based IMO is responsible for regulating the safety and security of international shipping and preventing pollution and comprises 176 member state countries. The statements from Israel and Iran on Wednesday were noted by the Maritime Safety Committee, an IMO spokesperson said. The agency has faced growing pressures that it was becoming politicised. In 2023 Russia said the IMO was departing from its technical role because of "external pressure", which was impacting the fair treatment of all member countries. Iran's offer to host a maritime event in 2023 was rejected after a proposal led by the United States to rescind the bid was approved in a vote. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Iran and Israel trade accusations at UN shipping agency over sea lanes
LONDON, June 18 (Reuters) - Iran and Israel accused each other of endangering commercial activity in sea lanes around the Gulf and the Red Sea at the UN's shipping agency on Wednesday, as their military conflict escalated. Iran's delegation told a session of the International Maritime Organization's security committee that Israel had in recent days extended its "unlawful attacks" to include petrochemical and gas infrastructure in Asalouyeh along Iran's Gulf coast. "These actions directly endanger international maritime security and the global energy supply chain," Iran said in a statement to IMO delegates, which was livestreamed. "If the international community fails to take urgent and concrete measures to halt this unlawful aggression, the risk of escalation at sea becomes imminent." Iran has previously threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz to traffic in retaliation for Western pressure. Any closure of the strait could restrict trade and affect global oil prices. Commercial ships are being advised by maritime agencies to avoid Iran's waters around Hormuz, shipping sources said on Wednesday. Former Iranian Economy Minister Ehsan Khandouzi has said that tankers and liquified natural gas cargoes should only transit the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian permission. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected Donald Trump's demand for unconditional surrender on Wednesday, and the U.S. president said his patience had run out, though he gave no clue as to what his next step would be. Israel's mission told delegates the IMO's foundational principle of global maritime navigation safety was being "openly and aggressively threatened" by Iran, partly through support of Yemen's Houthi militia, whose attacks have severely disrupted shipping through the Suez Canal and Red Sea in recent years. "Iran has turned our whole region and the Red Sea specifically into a war zone. Through its political, financial and military backing of the Houthi rebels, Iran has enabled a campaign of maritime terrorism against civilian vessels," Israel said. "It seeks to weaponize the world's busiest sea lanes, hold international shipping hostage, and impose its will through violence." The London-based IMO is responsible for regulating the safety and security of international shipping and preventing pollution and comprises 176 member state countries. The statements from Israel and Iran on Wednesday were noted by the Maritime Safety Committee, an IMO spokesperson said. The agency has faced growing pressures that it was becoming politicised. In 2023 Russia said the IMO was departing from its technical role because of "external pressure", which was impacting the fair treatment of all member countries. Iran's offer to host a maritime event in 2023 was rejected after a proposal led by the United States to rescind the bid was approved in a vote.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Tighter carbon rules, slower economy to erode bunker demand growth, IEA says
LONDON, June 17 (Reuters) - Stricter environmental regulations and slower global economic growth will soften marine fuel demand in the coming years, the International Energy Agency said in its annual report on Tuesday. Marine fuel sales jumped last year due to Red Sea disruptions that made shipping companies take longer routes. But demand for those fuels, also called bunkers, could flatline at around 5 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2024-2030, because of weak underlying shipping growth and rising costs from tougher maritime environmental standards, the IEA said. Last April, member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations' shipping agency, agreed on a carbon pricing mechanism to help the shipping industry reach net zero emissions by 2050. The mechanism, pending final approval in October 2025, will require ships to pay a penalty for above-target greenhouse gas emissions from 2028. Shipping transports over 80% of all traded goods and causes nearly 3% of greenhouse gas emissions, according to UN data. Tariffs will create a harsher environment for global trade and shipping, potentially affecting bunkers disproportionately, and this could accelerate the ongoing disconnect between economic growth and maritime trade, the IEA said. Attacks on vessels in the Red Sea that forced some to avoid the Suez Canal initially supported bunker sales, adding 140,000 bpd to international bunkering demand last year, although this was only slightly above trend, the IEA said. At the same time, weak economic growth and soaring freight and insurance rates acted as headwinds, the IEA added.
Leaders
5 days ago
- Health
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia's Al-Junaidi Becomes 1st Arab to Chair IMSO Advisory Committee
Engineer Kamal Al-Junaidi, the Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), made history by chairing the 51st session of the Advisory Committee of the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO), held from June 9 to 13, 2025. He is the first Arab to assume this role—marking a significant milestone for both Saudi Arabia and the Arab world in global maritime governance. Al-Junaidi's leadership of the IMSO Advisory Committee underscores the Kingdom's prominent role in international maritime institutions and its commitment to enhancing maritime communication and safety systems. In his role, he facilitated discussions and guided deliberations among member states, working to build consensus on critical matters. Moreover, these included oversight of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), the implementation of Long Range Tracking and Safety (LRTS) standards, and the auditing processes of satellite communication service providers. He also led discussions on proposed amendments to maritime safety regulations, monitored IMSO's strategic alignment with IMO standards, and presented the committee's recommendations to the General Assembly for final approval. The 51st session, held at IMO headquarters in London, brought together representatives from 44 countries. Finally, over the five-day meeting, participants addressed a range of pressing issues affecting the global maritime sector. Related Topics : Saudi Arabia, Bahamas Boost Maritime Ties at IMO Meeting ICESCO Member States Unanimously Approve Riyadh AI Charter Fitch upgrades Saudi Arabia credit rating to 'A+', testimony of Vision 2030 success Shattered Lives: US Surgeon Exposes Gaza's Unspeakable Healthcare Crisis Short link : Post Views: 13
