The kick-off meeting the newly established CIMAC Regulatory Coordination Group now took place in Frankfurt. This group was formed to strengthen CIMAC’s strategic engagement with international regulatory bodies, particularly the IMO and EU institutions, and to ensure that the association’s contributions reflect the collective expertise and interests of its members.
The Regulatory Coordination Group is composed of representatives with deep knowledge of the structures and processes of the IMO and EU, CIMAC’s Vision and Mission, and the activities of its Working Groups (WGs) and Strategy Groups (StGs). It includes board members, seasoned IMO experts, and technical ambassadors from WGs 2, 5, 15, 20, 21, 22, and DStG. The group remains open to expansion as CIMAC’s regulatory scope evolves.
Acting as a steering and coordination body, the group facilitates and formalizes decision-making, provides expert feedback, and ensures that CIMAC’s regulatory contributions are technically sound and aligned with member interests. It will offer guidance on regulatory matters, support participation in relevant meetings, assist in preparing content for submission to regulatory bodies, and help shape CIMAC’s positions in international forums.
The group is chaired by Eero Lehtovaara, CIMAC’s Accredited Representative to the IMO and Vice President Digitalization, Leo Budicin is its secretary. The group has identified several initial focus topics: Underwater Radiated Noise (URN), non-shaftline propulsion, digitalization, Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), cybersecurity, and data harmonization. Topics currently under review include onboard carbon capture and storage, and training guidelines for alternative fuels. These areas are expected to expand based on the priorities raised by CIMAC’s WGs and StGs.
During the kick-off, the group also discussed internal procedures and operational guidelines, including communication formats with the IMO (submissions, comments, meeting participation), and how to prepare statements in coordination with the CIMAC community. A detailed task list was developed, along with guiding principles for a coordinated approach to regulatory engagement.
A strategy was also outlined for interaction with other NGOs, IGOs, and flag states active at the IMO. CIMAC is committed to working collaboratively with other stakeholders, sharing its knowledge and experience to support the advancement of the maritime sector.
The next meeting of the Regulatory Coordination Group is scheduled for early October. In addition, two Town Halls will be held this autumn, one focusing on MASS and other IMO-related developments, the other on the extraordinary MEPC session. CIMAC will continue to use the Town Hall format to keep its community informed and engaged in regulatory activities.
