Is IMO becoming too flexible?

摘要

The IMO's new ship security guidelines are soon to enter into force. This has happened at uncharacteristic speed for IMO, having been made possible in part by the requirements for ship security alert systems totally bypassing the normally lengthy type approval process. Ship owners and operators can fit whatever they like, as long as it fulfils the function of giving an alarm in the case of a security breach without that alarm being apparent to the suspected infractors or other shipping in the vicinity. When an IMO carriage requirement normally involves a long period drawing up standards and specifications, and a longer period getting equipment type approved to those specifications, something which causes considerable frustration, the industry should have welcomed this new flexibility. But in reality is the new regime so vague that the industry is in confusion about what it can and cannot fit? Certainly the options are plentiful and, indeed, bearing in mind their variation from the simplest visual alert to high-technology tracking systems, confusing. Certainly too, the take up has been somewhat sluggish so far. Will shipping follow its traditional course and go for the lowest-cost solution? Or will the extra benefits of the more sophisticated systems swing users in their direction? We shall see.