30 international UCL students of Dr. Evangelos Markopoulos, studying International Business Development and Strategy attended, as observers of the opening of the 10th session of the sub committee Implementation of IMO Instruments (III) meeting on July 22nd 2024, at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization, the Temple of International Shipping, at the south bank of Father Thames, diagonally opposite the Parliament.
The Sub-Committee on III brings together flag, port and coastal states to consider implementation issues, including the analysis of consolidated audit summary reports from the mandatory IMO Member state Audit Scheme. Moreover this Sub-Committee has a key role in casualty analysis and issuing lessons learned from marine incidents affecting human life and the environment.
The students had the opportunity to experience the way such meetings are organized, coordinated and delivered, listen part of the discussions on pressing global maritime issues that impact global trade and international business, and take a tour on the IMO building; they were more than impressed!
It is worth noting the importance of the four pillars of IMO, being the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) all contributing to the Safety of Navigation, Human Life and the Environment – lately the focal point on Planet Ocean.
These visits are more than paramount for University students as they contribute to their future business development, particularly as shipping and transport are the most important sectors in business and everyday life.
As in previous visits, Tamara Vassilissin, the principal external relations assistant from the external relations office at the IMO facilitated the student’s visit with her knowledge and experience.
