Council - 92nd session: 21-25 June 2004

The IMO Council has strongly supported the Secretary-General's initiative to identify those shipping lanes of strategic importance and significance which may be vulnerable to terrorist attacks and to work with all concerned to ensure they are kept open under all circumstances, allowing the uninterrupted flow of traffic.

The Council, which met for its 92nd session from 21 to 25 June, authorized Secretary-General Mr. Efthimios E. Mitropoulos to start consultations with users and littoral states on security matters and to report to Council at its next session (15-19 November 2004).

The IMO Secretariat has begun some research work to identify those shipping lanes which may be at risk of terrorist attacks with a view to working with others to act pro-actively in order to protect the interests of safety, security, the environment, seaborne trade and the world economy at large.

O'Neil to get International Maritime Prize
The Council agreed to award the International Maritime Prize for 2003 to former IMO Secretary-General Mr. William A. O'Neil (Canada).

Council appoints Mitropoulos as Chancellor of the World Maritime University, O'Neil becomes Chancellor Emeritus
The Council appointed Mr. Mitropoulos as Chancellor of the World Maritime University (WMU) for the two-year period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2006.

The Council also accorded the status of Chancellor Emeritus of the WMU to the former chancellor and previous IMO Secretary-General Mr. O'Neil.

The Council also appointed Mr. Mitropoulos, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, as Chairman of the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) Governing Board for the two year period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2006.

The Council also expressed its deep appreciation to Mr. W.A. O'Neil for his outstanding services during his stewardship of the affairs of the Institute as Chairman of its Governing Board.

International SAR Fund endorsed
The Council endorsed the Maritime Safety Committee's proposal, endorsed by the Technical Co-operation Committee, calling for the establishment of an International SAR Fund to support the establishment and continued maintenance of regional Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs) and Maritime Rescue Sub-Centres (MRSCs) along the African coastline.

IMO - the International Maritime Organization - is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.

Web site: www.imo.org

Photographs available electronically by email.

For further information please contact:
Lee Adamson, Senior External Relations Officer on 020 7587 3153 (media@imo.org) or
Natasha Brown, External Relations Officer on 020 7587 3274 (media@imo.org ).