Niël Terblanché
Namibia has taken a step toward improving the safety of fishing vessels and their crews by acceding to the 2012 Cape Town Agreement.
Namibia is now the 23rd nation to endorse the agreement, according to a statement issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on 5 December.
The Cape Town Agreement, adopted in 2012, sets mandatory international safety standards for fishing vessels 24 metres in length and above.
“The Cape Town Agreement, once in force, will bring in mandatory international safety requirements for fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over, including provisions addressing stability and associated seaworthiness, machinery and electrical installations, life-saving appliances, communications equipment, and fire protection, as well as fishing vessel construction,” reads the statement.
This development coincided with the 109th session of IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee, where new interim guidance was adopted to facilitate the implementation of the Cape Town Agreement and encourage further ratifications.
For the agreement to take effect, 22 states representing a total of at least 3 600 eligible fishing vessels operating on the high seas must ratify it.
While the threshold for state participation has been surpassed with 23 countries now acceding, the treaty remains short of the required vessel count.
According to the statement, Namibia’s accession increases the total to 2 935 declared fishing vessels, leaving a gap of 665 vessels to meet the 3 600 requirement.
Once in force, the treaty is expected to play a pivotal role in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, addressing forced labour, and mitigating pollution, including marine debris.
Contracting states include a diverse group of nations such as Belgium, South Africa, Japan, Norway, and Spain, among others.
Namibia’s decision to join the agreement demonstrates its commitment to promoting maritime safety and environmental sustainability, while also enhancing the working conditions of fishermen.
The Cape Town Agreement builds on earlier IMO efforts, such as the 1993 Torremolinos Protocol, which faced challenges in adoption due to technical and practical constraints.
By aligning with the updated framework, Namibia underscores its dedication to advancing international collaboration in maritime safety.
Linda Scott, Namibia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Permanent Representative of Namibia to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), deposited the country’s instrument of accession to the agreement at the IMO headquarters in London last week.
