State Department seeks industry, public views ahead of IMO meet

THE US State Department's Shipping Coordinating Committee will hold open public meetings at the US Coast Guard (USCG) Personnel Service Centre in Arlington, Virgina, on January 21, and at the USCG headquarters in Washington, DC, on February 11 to discuss United Nations marine pollution and watchkeeping regulations.

The purpose of the January 21 meeting is to prepare for the first session of the UN's International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) sub-committee on pollution prevention and response from February 3-7 at the IMO headquarters in London. 

Members of the public who plan to attend the January meeting should contact the meeting coordinator no later than January 10, while parties wishing to attend the February meeting should do the same by February 4.

The purpose of the February 11 meeting will include preparations for the first session of the IMO's sub-committee on human element, training and watchkeeping on February 17-21 also in London at IMO headquarters.