IMO Assembly Wraps with Renewed Global Commitments

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The International Maritime Organization (IMO) concluded its 34th regular Assembly session with a slate of strategic decisions aimed at reinforcing maritime safety, seafarer welfare, and long-term regulatory stability. Member states adopted a revamped 2024–2029 Strategic Plan and approved the 2026–2027 budget and work program — a move intended to ensure resources match expanded mandates and emerging global pressures.

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Key resolutions include strengthened compliance mechanisms under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS), updated survey and certification guidelines, and new procedures under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC). The newly elected Council and Secretariat leadership were confirmed, signaling continuity in governance and a collaborative spirit ahead of a heavy two-year agenda.

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At the center of all actions: seafarers. The Assembly reiterated that global shipping’s resilience hinges on the skill and welfare of mariners navigating increasingly complex operational and regulatory waters.

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For fleet owners, operators and stakeholders, this means a clearer — though tighter — regulatory horizon, with enhanced audit oversight and growing emphasis on compliance, safety, and sustainability. The session’s outcomes suggest that shipping companies should proactively review internal compliance procedures and be prepared for stricter enforcement in safety, certification, and environmental norms.

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Read more at Safety4Sea

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Photo Credit:
“IMO Headquarters” by International Maritime Organization, CC BY 2.0

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