The International Maritime Organisation is an UN Agency that sets global standards for safety, security and also Environmental Performance of International Shipping’. The UN IMO has near on universal state membership as a strong Non-Government Organization and industry representation. NZ is a signatory to a number of binding agreement under the UN IMO.

One example being the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, also known as MARPOL.  There are a number of conventions and treaties under the IMO that constitute agreements between countries, sets frameworks & standards for global shipping

Any NZ Ship visiting  the ports or transiting the internal waters of another country must be compliant with any agreement that NZ Govt has signed up to.. Any ship visiting in NZ waters must also be compliant with any agreements NZ is a party to, even is that ships country is not a party to the agreement that NZ Govt

IMO have signed conventions for regulating marine pollution from shipping. Currently NZ has ratified to regulate pollution from oil, harmful substances and garbage. The Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Transport, Maritime NZ and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA collectively administer and implement relevant acts and rules.

These include the following Acts: Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012. The Maritime and Marine Protection Rules under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 and the Resource Management Act 1991 with its associated Marine Pollution Regulations.

Please note that the Resource Management Act 1991 will be replaced in 2023 by new legislative powers.

The UN IMO are not responsible for enforcing their policies UN Member States Governments are responsible for making the laws that the govt then enforces. The funding of the UN IMO is from UN Member States contributions as well as voluntary and commercial activities.

4^th December 2019 Julie Anne Genter  gave a speech in Parliament referring to ‘NZ to join IMO Convention to Reduce Ships Emissions’. The NZ Govt to sign up to new International Maritime Regulations to reduce Ships Emission and lift Air Pollution around Ports and Harbours.  The power to inspect foreign ships for compliance with new emission standards and take enforcement action.

Genter said. “This ensures NZ has a seat of the table as  new global greenhouse gas   emission maritime regulations are negotiated over the next few years.” The IMO conventions regulations limiting sulphur emissions from shipping came into force in January 2020. The previous govt did not initiate the process of signing the UN IMO convention”. NZ under the Labour Govt would sign up to stricter limits that would apply to domestic ships from the beginning of this year (2022) Shipping and fishing industry being effected. Jan 2023 all ships visiting NZ must comply to IMO when the new regulation come into force in 2023.

New Green Rules are to hit shipping services, this starts to be phased in at the beginning of January 2023. Shipping lines are required to address fuel use and carbon intensity. NZ Farmers Weekly Business Desk reported on Sept 28^th 2022 that the new green rules will hit shipping services, could  have implications for rotations into and out of New  Zealand ports.

This is yet another big headache for NZ Exporters & Importers as there is serious concern as to the greenhouse gas emission rules on shipping lines that kicks in- January 2023. These measures are instituted on a global basis by the United Nations IMO, they have mandated a 40% reduction in carbon emissions for existing and new build shipping vessels before 2030.  The target is for 70% reduction before 2050. Major shipping lines suggest the changes could have implications for their rotations into and out of NZ ports as they try to comply with the rules.

The rules are self imposed limitations on both speed and engine power limitations, leading to changed shipping routes and potentially significantly higher costs. Of course those costs will have to be passed on to Importers and exporters, and then onto the consumers. Regulations are on a ship by ship basis, rather than by cargo its quite obvious there will be changes. Shipping companies are yet to look at the shape of shipping routes and services in the future.

NEXT : HOW WILL THIS IMPACT ON BUSINESSES, FARMERS AND CONSUMERS, THE TAXPAYERS OF NZ. Shipping container prices have already risen significantly..???

THE PLUNDERING OF NZ AS THE GOVERNMENT DEGROWTHS THE ECONOMY AND APPLIES ARDERNS HAPPINESS INDICATORS TO NZ’S NON TRANSPARENCY ZILCH. AS NZRS WELL IN A DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT.

https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/new-green-rules-to-hit-shipping-services/

https://environment.govt.nz/what-government-is-doing/international-action/new-zealand-and-the-international-maritime-organisation/

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/nz-join-imo-convention-reduce-ship-emissions