Maritime stakeholders from 10 Middle East and North Africa countries completed a regional workshop in Alexandria, Egypt, on strengthening enforcement of the IMO liability and compensation regime, according to the International Maritime Organization.
The event took place on 7–11 December and brought together participants from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Yemen.
The workshop was hosted by the Maritime Transport and Logistics Sector of Egypt in cooperation with IMO and aimed to enhance understanding and application of international conventions governing maritime liability and compensation.
These included the 1992 Civil Liability Convention, the 1992 Fund Convention, the 2010 HNS Convention, the 2001 Bunkers Convention, the 2007 Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention and the 1989 Salvage Convention.
Opening the workshop, Head of the Maritime Transport and Logistics Sector of Egypt Rear Admiral Hussein Mustafa El Geziry encouraged participating states to accede to and fully implement IMO treaties related to liability and compensation, citing recent incidents in which ships lacked relevant insurance coverage.
Presentations were delivered by experts from the IMO Legal and External Relations Division, the IOPC Funds Secretariat and P & I Clubs, alongside national representatives who outlined domestic legislative and implementation practices.
Discussions highlighted national experiences and challenges in aligning with IMO liability and compensation instruments.
The workshop is expected to support ratification, implementation and enforcement of the IMO liability and compensation regime across participating member states.
International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for developing and maintaining the regulatory framework for international shipping, including safety, environmental protection and legal matters.