President decides to seek parliament’s approval for Maldives to join IMSO

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Tuesday, has decided to seek approval from the parliament for the Maldives to join International Mobile Satellite Organisation (IMSO).

He had made the decision during Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, following deliberations on a paper submitted by Transport Ministry.

International Maritime Organization (IMO), which the Maldives is a member of, passed the Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organization in 1967.

This treaty formed IMSO, to act as the inter-governmental body that oversees certain satellite-based maritime distress communication services, specifically those used in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

As per the President’s Office, IMSO also facilitates the operation of the Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) System to provide for the global identification and tracking of ships to enhance the security of shipping and for safety and marine environment protection. They noted that the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), adopted in 1974, mandates countries party to the treaty to implement the GMDSS and LRIT systems.

Maldives is already party to SOLAS. IMO’s member state audit has recommended Maldives to join IMSO.