The London-based International Maritime Organization (IMO), in partnership with SPC, is running a workshop this week in Suva to assist Pacific Island member governments to meet their obligations with regard to national regulations concerning the safe transportation of dangerous goods and bulk cargoes by sea.

Delivering his opening remarks to the delegates, Alfredo Parroquín-Ohlson of IMO said, ‘As the world becomes increasingly industrialised and the industry itself becomes ever more complex, the transport by sea of dangerous cargoes will continue to rise and the lists of products classified as ‘dangerous’ will grow, too. It is essential, if shipping within the global world trade is to improve its safety record, that these cargoes are handled, transported and stored with the greatest possible care.  

Bula and welcome to the Pacific Maritime Watch Issue 53  - from the Transport Programme, the Economic Development Division (EDD) of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, at Nabua, Fiji.

Please, click on the link below to download the newsletter.

http://www.spc.int/edd/en/download/finish/55-pacific-maritime-watch/634-pacific-maritime-watch-issue-53/0 

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) hosted the inaugural meeting of the Pacific Search and Rescue Discussion Group (PACSAR DG) this week. The group includes representatives from the major contributors to search and rescue (SAR) in the Pacific, including: Commissaire Sebastien Tarquin of France, Mr Rodney Bracefield from Maritime New Zealand, Mr Richard Roberts from the United States Coast Guard, and Ms Amanda MacKinnell from AMSA. The group is chaired by Mr Bruce Tweed representing the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). The meetings will provide a forum for the development of SAR practices and resources in the Pacific.