The Permanent Representation of Italy to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) hosted today, at the Embassy of Italy in London, the event “Strengthening Global Maritime Safety: Incident Response Practices”, aimed at enhancing international cooperation and improving best practices in maritime incident response.
The meeting was opened by the Ambassador of Italy to the United Kingdom and Permanent Representative to the IMO, Fabio Cassese, who emphasized the importance of coordinated action, technical preparedness, and shared expertise to ensure maritime safety and protect the marine environment.
The session was moderated by Commander Giuseppe Spera, Alternate Permanent Representative of Italy to IMO, IOPC Funds and IMSO, who highlighted the need for rapid, structured, and collaborative approaches to maritime emergencies.
The event saw an exceptional turnout, with more than 100 IMO delegations in attendance, alongside institutional representatives and key stakeholders from the maritime sector.
Speakers included:
- Gaute Sivertsen, Director of the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds), who presented the international liability and compensation regime for oil pollution damage and the challenges ahead, including the forthcoming entry into force of the HNS Protocol;
- Thomas J. Wiker, President of Gallagher Marine Systems, who shared operational insights from incident management in the United States and globally, with a focus on emerging risks such as container losses, lithium‑ion battery fires, and onboard emergencies;
- Chiara Della Mea, Head of Pollution Preparedness and Response within the IMO Marine Environment Division, who provided an overview of the Organization’s role in supporting States during pollution incidents and strengthening global preparedness.
The initiative offered a valuable platform for dialogue and technical exchange, reaffirming Italy’s commitment to promoting safer seas, effective emergency response, and a robust global maritime safety framework.
