Flag State surveyors and port State control officers from the Philippines and Viet Nam took part in specialized training in Busan, Republic of Korea (26-30 October), aimed at strengthening national capacity to implement and enforce IMO requirements on air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships.
The training focused on practical skills for conducting flag State surveys and port State control (PSC) inspections, supporting effective compliance with international requirements to reduce emissions from ships.
The programme covered key requirements of MARPOL Annex VI, including ship energy efficiency, air pollution prevention, GHG emission reduction measures and survey and certification procedures. Participants also examined recent regulatory developments at IMO and their implications for national implementation.
From training to practical application
Through technical sessions, case studies and interactive discussions, participants explored inspection procedures, the identification of deficiencies and appropriate follow-up actions.
A dedicated day of onboard practical training in the Port of Busan provided hands-on experience in applying port State control inspection procedures and assessing compliance with requirements on air pollution and GHG emissions from ships.
Participants from the Philippines and Viet Nam also shared national experiences, challenges and lessons learned in implementing the requirements, supporting regional knowledge exchange and cooperation.
Strengthening capacity for maritime decarbonization
In a special lecture, IMO Secretary-General Emeritus Kitack Lim highlighted the importance of collective leadership and international cooperation in advancing maritime decarbonization. He also emphasized the role of developing countries in strengthening technical capacity and contributing to the development of global maritime regulations.
The programme also provided an opportunity for participants to exchange experiences through their participation in the IMO World Maritime Day Parallel Event organized in Busan.
The training was organized by IMO under the IMO-Republic of Korea SMART-C GHG Project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea (MOF), with technical support from the World Maritime University (WMU), Korean Maritime Cooperation Center (KMC) and Korean Register (KR).
SMART-C GHG Project
Funded by the Republic of Korea, the SMART-C GHG Project supports ASEAN countries in implementing IMO regulations on GHG emissions from ships. With the Philippines and Viet Nam as pilot countries, the project focuses on GHG data management, regulatory and institutional capacity-building, maritime training and the development of National Action Plans to address GHG emissions from ships.
