KSA Minister for Transport met with the IMO DPP

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Minister for Transport and Logistic Services, His Excellency Eng. Saleh bin Nasser AI-Jasser met with the International Maritime Organization Department of Partnerships and Projects (DPP). The Meeting took place on the 2nd of November 2023 and discussed the many projects currently being funded by Saudi Arabia and the recent visit of Dr. Jose Matheickal, head of DPP, to Saudi Arabia where he witnessed the Kingdoms developments in the maritime sector.

The meeting also covered the Kingdoms IMOCARES (Coordinated Actions to Reduce Emissions from Shipping) project which focuses on aiding LDCs and SIDS to meet the IMO Energy Efficiency and IMO GHG Strategy targets. IMOCARES recently hosted the IMOCARES Global Challenge which provided funding to new and developing technologies in the maritime sector. The DPP team outlined the importance of IMOCARES in that it addresses key issues in maritime development, such as the need for coordination between the global north and south regarding technology exchange. The Kingdom has put this at the forefront of its aims within the IMO, to aid in cooperation and ensure that developing countries are supported.

The meeting also highlighted was the new project led by The Kingdom, Nextwave Seafarers. Nextwave provides funding for the IMO to be able to create a framework on which to build human capacity building projects across the globe. The project aims to raise the efficiency of seafarers globally by supporting the provision of practical training for maritime students from island countries and less developed countries on board the ships of the Saudi fleet.

Also discussed, was the Arab Women in Biofouling Workshop (AWIMB) held in May 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with IMO’s DPP GloFouling Partnerships. The workshop was the first ever event dedicated to women working in biofouling management sector.

The meeting demonstrated the Kingdoms continued support for key issues within the IMO and worked on cooperation and collaboration with the DPP in the implementation of its various projects.