Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction

• Begin by introducing the IMO as a UN specialized agency established in 1948, with 176 member states.
• Briefly mention its mandate to promote safe, secure, and environmentally sound shipping practices worldwide.

2. Mitigating Environmental Harm

• Pollution Prevention: Discuss IMO’s adoption of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), which regulates pollutants like oil spills.
• Marine Litter: Highlight IMO’s strategy to address marine plastic litter from ships and efforts to reduce underwater noise pollution.
• Invasive Species: Mention the Ballast Water Management Convention to prevent invasive aquatic species through ballast water management.

3. Ensuring Security

• Safety Standards: Talk about IMO’s key role in setting safety standards through SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) for ship construction and operation.
• Piracy and Illicit Activities: Discuss IMO’s efforts to curb piracy, including the Djibouti Code of Conduct, and capacity-building programs in regions like West and Central Africa.

4. Promoting Sustainable Practices

• Energy Efficiency: Mention the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) that mandates energy-efficient designs for ships to reduce carbon emissions.
• Ship Recycling: Discuss the Hong Kong Convention, which promotes safe and environmentally friendly ship recycling practices.
• Climate Change Mitigation: Briefly discuss the London Convention, which focuses on carbon capture and sequestration in subsea geological formations.

5. Conclusion

• Conclude by emphasizing IMO’s global role in ensuring a balance between maritime security, environmental protection, and sustainable practices. Mention the significance of IMO’s work in achieving SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and how India’s re-election to the IMO Council highlights its commitment to these goals.

Relevant Facts

1. IMO’s Establishment and Mandate:
   • IMO is a UN specialized agency established in 1948 to regulate international shipping. It has 176 member states today.
2. Pollution Prevention (MARPOL):
   • MARPOL Convention is the main international treaty regulating marine pollution from ships, addressing oil spills, sewage, ballast water, and garbage.
3. Marine Plastic Litter and Underwater Noise:
   • IMO’s Strategy to Address Marine Plastic Litter aims to prevent pollution caused by shipping and fishing activities.
   • IMO has issued guidelines to reduce underwater noise pollution caused by shipping, which impacts marine life.
4. Invasive Species (BWM Convention):
   • The Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM), adopted by IMO, requires ships to manage their ballast water to prevent the spread of invasive species.
5. Safety Standards (SOLAS):
   • The Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention sets international safety standards for ship design, operation, and equipment.
6. Piracy Prevention (Djibouti Code of Conduct):
   • IMO supports countries in addressing piracy through the Djibouti Code of Conduct and training programs for regions like the western Indian Ocean and West Africa.
7. Energy Efficiency (EEDI):
   • The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) mandates energy efficiency measures to reduce CO2 emissions from ships.
8. Ship Recycling (Hong Kong Convention):
   • The Hong Kong Convention aims to ensure that ships are recycled in an environmentally safe and socially responsible manner.
9. Climate Change Mitigation (London Convention):
   • The London Convention regulates carbon capture and storage in subsea geological formations as part of climate change mitigation.
10. India’s Role in IMO:
    • India’s re-election to the IMO Council signifies its active role in shaping maritime policies and promoting sustainable ocean governance.