Efthimios Mitropoulos is Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). His views on the IMO initiative to develop goal-based standards are clear. “Our ongoing development of goal-based standards will help raise the safety of shipping, with class societies playing their part by establishing detailed technical rules to meet these goals.”
Increasingly strict maritime regulations remains a global trend and the complexity of managing and staying in compliance with various standards enforced by different regional authorities and class societies has been a particular challenge. Yet for an industry understandably sceptical of any new regulations, many have been surprised by how quickly owners have supported efforts by the IMO to establish goal-based standards defining high-level goals of safety and pollution prevention.
Before addressing the main drivers behind the goal-based standards, the Secretary-General shared his views on the much debated role of the IMO versus the EU(European Union) and national legislators. Adm. Mitropoulos firmly believes that shipping has to be regulated internationally, and not regionally or unilaterally.
“To enhance safety, security and environmental protection in shipping engaged in international operations, national Governments are responsible for implementing regulations drawn up and adopted by IMO, which is, of course, made up of those same Governments. As an inter-governmental body, IMO’s role is to ensure that global agreement is reached on any new regulations and that any proposal for legislation, which will affect international shipping, is brought to IMO for consideration and action by all, on a consensus basis,” he explained.
He continued, “The EU is a body made up of national Governments, all of whom are member states of IMO in their own right. Their contribution to IMO achieving its objectives has, throughout the organization’s existence, been of enormous value and has been, and still is, appreciated by all. My view is that the concerns and interests of any group of IMO members over any particular issue affecting international shipping are best addressed by raising those concerns at IMO and pursuing optimal solutions through the organization, so that all may benefit.”
“At the end of the day,” said Adm. Mitropoulos, “there is no doubt that an international industry like shipping, in which the prime physical assets – the ships themselves – actually move between countries and continents and, therefore, between different legal jurisdictions, simply has to be regulated internationally, and not regionally or unilaterally.”
Regarding the ‘policing’ of the industry and the role of the port states, flag states and class societies – is the present structure satisfactory or should some of the roles be redefined?
“I think the current system, whereby the primary responsibility for ensuring safe, secure and environmentally-friendly ships lies with flag states and shipowners, is sound, though implementation can always be improved. In this context, we must continue our efforts to harmonize the Port State Control procedures and activities of various regional Port State Control regimes. Also, our work on goal-based standards for the construction of new ships is expected to have an impact on re-defining the roles of flag state administrations and classification societies over structural rules. And, furthermore, the IMO Audit Scheme should help considerably in this respect, by identifying any inadequacies in national systems, as well as the necessary improvements to be made,” he asserted.
What are the main drivers behind the IMO initiative to develop goal-based standards?
“The main driver is the general understanding, within maritime administrations and the industry, that, firstly, the roles of IMO and the maritime administrations in the setting of ship construction standards and in their application should be revisited; and, secondly, that IMO regulations should set goals, objectives and functional requirements for the construction of new ships, while also establishing a procedure to verify that the structural rules of classification societies comply with these,” explained Adm. Mitropoulos.
The initiative, which will see IMO moving away from the prescriptive manner so far applied to regulate shipping from the organisation’s perspective, has the potential to substantially improve the situation and should receive support from all parties concerned, according to Adm. Mitropoulos.
Does the Secretary-General believe the shipping industry stands to benefit from working together towards an improved framework – the goal-based standards?
“Yes, I think it does once the main objective of the initiative, that is the construction of robust ships, is achieved,” said Adm. Mitropoulos and added: “Goal-based standards will establish sound goals to be achieved and administrations, possibly through a mechanism to be put in place under the SOLAS Convention, will have to ensure that classification rules meet the goals. At the same time, the responsibility for the development of detailed technical rules would remain with the classification societies to enable the constant adaptation of structural rules to technological innovations and developments.”
What does the Secretary-General think about the introduction of the new Common Rules for tankers and bulkers? It’s been said that the Common Rules will help contribute to ‘an even playing field’ without compromising safety – does the Secretary-General agree with this statement?
“The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Common Structural Rules for bulk carriers and oil tankers have been devised with the aim of eliminating competition among classification societies with regard to structural requirements, while gaining greater transparency to their technical background and reducing costs. From this point of view, I see no reason not to agree with the statement,” said the Secretary-General.
What impact does he feel the Common Rules will have on the industry and the quality of the world fleet in the years to come?
“IACS’s desire to devise rules that will ensure more robust, safer and more environmentally friendly ships is appreciated. When properly applied, the rules should also end up with reduced through-life repair and maintenance costs. I can also see benefits for both the shipowners and shipyards from having the same, commonly recognized standards that have been developed and updated, as necessary, using the combined research capabilities and experience of all the IACS members,” commented Adm. Mitropoulos.
From the IMO perspective, in the context of the development of goal-based standards, the Common Structural Rules for oil tankers are being used in an ongoing pilot project on the trial application of the goal-based standards.
“I look forward to the continuation of a close relationship between the organization and IACS in our endeavours to enhance safety in shipping operations,” he said.
Regarding the role of class societies, what, in the opinion of the Secretary-General, are the critical issues confronting class today and how does he see its role developing in the future?
“First of all,” emphasised Adm. Mitropoulos, “I consider it of great importance that the links between IMO, the classification societies and the segments of the industry the classification societies are associated with, remain strong and that we actively pursue their maintenance and reinforcement. This can be achieved by working together in pursuit of our common goals.”
He continued, “I think the issues, which face classification societies historically and nowadays, are those which face the whole shipping industry – being able to foresee trends and challenges and acting in good time to prevent risks that might endanger safety, security and environmental protection within the domain of shipping, while, at the same time, ensuring full and effective implementation of the global standards adopted by IMO.”
The IMO Secretary-General told DNV Forum that “Classification societies should also follow closely developments at the regional level and, through persuasive, well-documented argumentation, explain its case and prevent initiatives that may bring to an end time-tested practices that have served the industry well.”