Chapter 2. The IMO Guidelines on Places of Refuge for Ships in Need of Assistance

Abstract

This chapter discusses and reviews the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Guidelines on Places of Refuge for Ships in Need of Assistance (IMO Guidelines). The IMO Guidelines were adopted on 5 December 2003 through a resolution of the IMO Assembly, the highest-ranking body of the organisation. IMO has been considering places of refuge for ships since 2000 as a result of concern expressed by member states at the increasing number of instances of coastal state authority refusals to grant refuge to ships in distress. The objectives stated in the Preamble of Assembly Resolution A.949(23) adopting the IMO Guidelines are ambitious, especially in attempting to balance the decision-making considerations of ship owners and salvors on the one hand, and coastal states concerns on the other. The chapter presents an annexure on guidelines on places of refuge for ships in need of assistance. Keywords: International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines; Preamble of Assembly Resolution; salvage