Vanuatu and Tonga strengthen implementation of IMO instruments

Vanuatu and Tonga have taken significant steps to strengthen maritime legislation and advance the implementation of IMSAS corrective actions through a series of national workshops and practical exercises delivered under the IMO-Republic of Korea SMART-C Leaders Project.

New momentum for maritime legislation

National workshops on flag State implementation took place in Nuku'alofa, Tonga (7-10 July) and Port Vila, Vanuatu (13-16 July). Participants reviewed national legislation related to key IMO conventions, including SOLAS in Tonga and MARPOL in Vanuatu, and discussed practical measures to strengthen implementation, administrative arrangements and institutional coordination.

Both countries established national legislative drafting working groups. Supported by the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), the national working groups will take forward the review and drafting of national maritime legislation, helping countries translate workshop outcomes into legislative reforms that support the effective implementation of IMO instruments.

Taking forward IMSAS corrective actions

Workshops on coastal State responsibilities in Nuku'alofa (13-15 July) and Port Vila (8 -10 July) focused on coastal State responsibilities, covering safety of navigation and marine pollution preparedness and response.

Through the national coordination mechanisms established to support the implementation of IMSAS corrective actions, participants identified priority actions, clarified institutional responsibilities and developed practical roadmaps. The work was supported by a set of needs assessment toolkits developed under the Project, which could also support similar capacity-building activities for other Pacific SIDS.

Practical oil spill preparedness and response exercises were also carried out in Tanna and Port Vila (Vanuatu), and Nuku'alofa and Vava'u (Tonga). The exercises enabled responders to test emergency procedures, strengthen coordination between agencies and identify opportunities to improve operational readiness.

About the SMART-C Leaders Project

Funded by the Republic of Korea, the SMART-C Leaders Project aims to strengthen the capacities of Pacific SIDS - with Tonga and Vanuatu as lead partner countries - in the implementation of the IMO instruments. The Project helps countries strengthen capacity to fulfil their flag State, port State and coastal State responsibilities, as well as to implement Corrective Action Plan (CAP) under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS).