IADC: Facts About International Maritime Conventions (The Netherlands)

International regulations that are followed by all shipping nations have long been seen as the best way to improve sea-going safety. Still it was only with the establishment of the United Nations after World War II that these suggestions were made concrete. In 1948 an international conference in Switzerland adopted a Convention that established the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) and in the1980s the name was changed to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Today the IMO is responsible for the institution of several Conventions that have established guidances for safety, for protecting the seas from pollution by regulating placement of waste at sea and by guidelines for fuel usage and multiple other shipping-related issues. The dredging industry as a rule is subject to these conventions and this has often had consequences for dredging as it is not the same as marine transportation of freight, fuel or people.

Facts About International Maritime Conventions is a roadmap through the complicated regulations governing dredging and explains in brief such concepts as the “reverse list”, the precautionary approach and the adaptive approach, as well as the London Protocol and the OSPAR and the Dredged Material Assessment Framework (DMAF).

Although not all nations are party to these agreements, many are, and when working in or with the dredging industry, understanding these concepts is crucial. In all cases, before embarking on dredging activities, consultants and contractors are advised to become fully informed of the client’s and stakeholders’ expectations and of specific governmental (national/regional/ international) requirements regarding permits, sediment treatment and placement of dredged material.

IADC stands for “International Association of Dredging Companies” and is the global umbrella organisation for contractors in the private dredging industry. As such IADC is dedicated to not only promoting the skills, integrity and reliability of its members, but also the dredging industry in general. IADC has over hundred main and associated members. Together they represent the forefront of the dredging industry.

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Source: iadc-dredging, June 3, 2011;