The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, has indeed applauded the significant commitments made at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), held last week (June 9-13, 2025) in Nice, France. However, his praise comes with a strong accompanying message: an urgent call for countries to deliver on these promises swiftly.
Underwater Radiated Noise (URN)
The IMO highlighted its ongoing work on URN, a significant disruptor of marine life. This includes:
- Welcoming the launch of the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean, a group of 37 countries led by Canada and Panama committed to tackling underwater noise pollution.
- The adoption of Revised Guidelines for the reduction of URN from commercial shipping in 2023 aimed at mitigating adverse impacts on marine life.
- The IMO Action Plan on URN, adopted in 2024, focuses on developing targets, policies, and research, alongside an experience-building phase (EBP) for Member States to share implementation lessons.
- Providing Technical support to Member States through the GloNoise Partnership Project (implemented by IMO, UNDP, and GEF), which assists six countries in capacity development, awareness-raising, baseline establishment, and policy dialogue on URN.
Invasive Aquatic Species (Biofouling)
IMO is also tackling the threat of invasive species that accumulate on ships’ hulls (biofouling) and are transferred to new ecosystems. Key actions include:
- The development of a new legally binding global regulatory framework on biofouling management, anticipated for possible adoption in 2027.
- Issuance of Biofouling guidelines to the industry, notably the 2023 Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling.
- Offering Technical assistance to Member States via two projects: the TEST Biofouling Project (IMO-NORAD), promoting innovative biofouling management technologies; and the GloFouling Partnerships Project (GEF-UNDP-IMO), supporting the implementation of IMO Biofouling Guidelines.
- The Global Industry Alliance (GIA) for Marine Biosafety which unites industry leaders to support IMO climate and ocean action through improved biofouling management.
Marine Plastic Pollution
Building on the MARPOL Annex V, which prohibits most garbage discharge from ships (including plastics), and the London Convention/Protocol banning deliberate dumping, the IMO is taking further initiatives:
- The IMO Strategy and 2025 Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships, aiming to reduce plastic pollution from vessels, enhance port waste facilities, improve seafarer awareness and training, and strengthen international cooperation.
- Providing Technical assistance through the OceanLitter Programme (IMO-FAO), which includes three key projects—GloLitter, RegLitter, and PRO-SEAS. These focus on legal/policy reform, enhancing port reception facilities, and advancing gear marking systems.
- The announcement of a new Global Industry Alliance for action on marine plastic pollution, inviting industry actors and private sector members to join this collaborative effort.
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Source: IMO
