The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will seek widespread input on the administrative burdens that may result from compliance with IMO instruments.
The intention is to gather data from a broad spectrum of stakeholders from which recommendations on how to alleviate administrative burdens can be developed. The organisation recognises that some administrative requirements contained in IMO instruments may have become unnecessary, disproportionate or even obsolete, and is committed to reducing their impact.
This, says IMO, would not only be beneficial in its own right, it would also help to release resources that could then be channelled towards the organisation’s overall goals of improving safety and security in shipping and reducing its negative impact on the environment.
Dedicated Website
The consultation process is being carried out through a dedicated website. It offers practical information and guidance to participants in the consultation and includes a questionnaire to be filled in and submitted electronically.
The consultation is open to everyone, including the general public. Particular target groups are all maritime stakeholders, including:
- companies and owners;
- governments, in their capacity as party to conventions, flag, port or coastal State;
- manufacturers and equipment suppliers;
- maritime administrations;
- masters and ships' crew;
- port authorities;
- recognised organisations;
- shipbuilders and ship repairers; and
- shippers.
Wasted Paperwork
IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu said: 'There has long been a feeling in the industry that there is too much wasted paperwork. This is the start of our efforts to tackle that problem.'
The consultation process will end on 31 October 2013. After it has been completed, a steering group established by the IMO Council will analyse the responses to identify those administrative requirements that are perceived as burdens, and will make recommendations to the Council as to how any such burdens should be addressed.
