VESSEL SECURITY IS HIGH ON IMO PANEL’S AGENDA

VESSEL SECURITY IS HIGH ON IMO PANEL’S AGENDA    The International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee will meet in London May 15-24 to prepare for a diplomatic conference on maritime security scheduled for December.
   Security issues, defined as “prevention and suppression of acts of terrorism against shipping”; proposed amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), and amendments to recommendations by the United Nations for the transport of dangerous goods comprise the bulk of the panel’s agenda.
   The IMO committee will also consider a faster schedule for putting automatic identification systems on existing cargo ships.
   The IMO is the United Nations agency concerned with safety of shipping and protection of the marine environment.