The Urgent Call for Ratification of Maritime Treaties
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the Comité Maritime International (CMI), two influential bodies in the maritime industry responsible for drafting maritime law conventions, have jointly launched a renewed campaign urging governments to ratify critical maritime treaties.
According to a press release issued by the organizations, they emphasized the importance of widespread ratification of these conventions to ensure uniform regulations for all ships engaged in international trade throughout their voyages.
The current geopolitical landscape, marked by shifting international dynamics, underscores the necessity for cohesive global regulations, especially as the United States, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, is perceived as challenging established international norms.
The key maritime conventions advocated for urgent ratification by ICS and CMI include the IMO Nairobi Convention on the Removal of Wrecks (Nairobi WRC) 2007, the IMO 2010 Protocol to the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (HNS) 1996, the IMO Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (Hong Kong) 2009, and the United Nations Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships 2023, also known as the Beijing Convention.
A global industry needs global regulations
The primary objective of this campaign is to mobilize ICS and CMI members, representing national shipowner associations and national maritime law associations, to engage with their respective governments and advocate for the ratification of these crucial maritime treaties where they are not yet enforced.
Kiran Khosla, principal director overseeing legal matters at ICS, emphasized the importance of a unified global regulatory framework for the efficient and safe operation of the maritime industry. Khosla noted that global standards must be consistently applied worldwide to prevent challenges stemming from disparate regulations and varying levels of safety and environmental protection.
Adding to this sentiment, Ann Fenech, president of CMI, highlighted the current complexities in the international arena and stressed the need for legal certainty and uniformity in maritime laws and regulations across different jurisdictions to navigate the evolving maritime landscape successfully.