Tripartite reaffirms support for IMO as global regulator
In light of recent developments, the Tripartite participating organisations reaffirmed their support to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as the global regulator for international shipping, capable of delivering effective regulations in close collaboration with the maritime community.
The Tripartite Forum of shipbuilders, shipowners and classification societies convened for their annual conference in Busan, South Korea, bringing together more than 70 delegates from 13 countries.
The Tripartite has been meeting for over two decades and has a distinguished record of tackling the most significant engineering challenges, notably initiating the development of the Common Structural Rules for bulk carriers and tankers, Permanent Means of Access for tankers, and the mandatory standards for coating ballast and cargo tanks.
Tripartite’s recent meeting, from 22 to 23 October 2025, continued this tradition with discussions on the more pressing technical issues facing the industry. The range of topics explored in this year’s forum included decarbonisation, onboard carbon capture, autonomous ships, biofouling, ballast water treatment, underwater radiated noise, software maintenance and grey water. Delegates who contributed to the extraordinary session of the MEPC at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) also discussed the implications for the maritime sector, in light of that meeting. On this timely occasion, the Tripartite participating organisations reaffirmed their support to the IMO as the global regulator for international shipping, capable of delivering effective regulations in close collaboration with the maritime community.
IMO’s immediate past Secretary General, Kitack Lim, was a guest of honour at this year’s event and brought with him a depth of knowledge and experience.
On behalf of this year’s organising association International Chamber of Shipping Secretary General, Thomas A. Kazakos, said:
“The shipyards of tomorrow will not only build vessels; they will build confidence in the industry’s ability to meet its sustainability goals. By working closely with classification societies and shipowners, shipbuilders can ensure that the ships of the future are not only compliant with new regulations and fuels but are also designed to operate safely, efficiently, and competitively in an increasingly complex world. Collaboration, foresight, and a continued focus on safety will be the foundation on which the next generation of shipbuilding excellence is built.”
The Tripartite organisations welcomed the progress made in the working groups on Underwater Radiated Noise, Future Proofing of the Maritime Safety Regime, Safe Decarbonisation, Safe Digital Transformation, Ship Life-Time GHG Accounting, Automated Fuel Consumption and Data Gathering.
Next year’s forum will take place in Q4 2026, in Japan.
Ends
Notes to Editors
About ASEF
The Active Shipbuilding Experts’ Federation (ASEF) is an international industry association composed of leading shipbuilding organizations from various countries.
Established with the aim of promoting safety, environmental protection, and technological innovation in the maritime sector, ASEF plays a vital role in advancing global cooperation within the shipbuilding industry.
About BIMCO
BIMCO is the world’s largest international shipping association, with 2,100 members in 120 countries, representing 64% of the world’s tonnage. Our global membership includes shipowners, operators, managers, brokers, and agents. BIMCO is a non-profit organisation.
About CESA
CESA represents the interests of shipbuilding, ship maintenance, repair and conversion shipyards, and maritime equipment providers at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London.
About IACS
Dedicated to safe ships and clean seas, the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) makes a unique contribution to maritime safety and regulation through technical support, compliance verification and research and development. More than 90% of the world’s cargo carrying tonnage is covered by the classification design, construction and through-life compliance Rules and standards set by the twelve Member Societies of IACS.
About INTERCARGO
The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) unites and promotes quality dry bulk shipping, bringing together more than 350 forward thinking companies from 35 countries – https://www.intercargo.org
About ICS
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal global trade association for merchant shipowners and operators, representing all sectors and trades and over 80% of the world’s merchant fleet – www.ics-shipping.org
About INTERTANKO INTERTANKO, the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners, has been the voice of independent tanker owners since 1970, ensuring that the liquid energy that keeps the world turning is shipped safely, responsibly and competitively. As of January 2025, the organisation has 178 Members, whose combined fleet comprises over 3,800 tankers totalling over 355 million dwt. INTERTANKO’s Associate Membership stands at some 220 companies and organisations related to the tanker industry. www.intertanko.com
About SEA Europe
SEA Europe represents close to 100% of the European shipbuilding industry in 17 nations, encompassing the production, maintenance, repair, and conversion of all types of ships and floating structures, commercial as well as naval, including the full supply chain with the various producers of maritime systems, equipment material, and services.
SEA Europe’s membership is situated in EU Member States, Norway, Turkey, United Kingdom and Ukraine.
As an NGO observer at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), CESA represents the shipbuilding industry and its supply chain from EU Member States, Norway, and Turkey.
