Vanuatu Ratifies 8 Important Maritime Conventions; Strengthens Its Maritime Framework

Vanuatu is making significant progress on the global stage!

The government has officially ratified 8 crucial international maritime conventions, reinforcing Vanuatu's position and enhancing the Vanuatu International Shipping Registry (VISR).

The conventions are:
1. International Convention on the Control and Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships (2001)
2. International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship’s Ballast Water and Sediment (2004)
3. Cape Town Agreement (2012)
4. Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation
5. Maritime Labour Convention (2006)
6. 1995 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel
7. Agreement Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity or Areas beyond National Jurisdiction
8. Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks (2007)

What this means for the maritime community:
- Unified safety and liability standards
- Enhanced maritime security
- Robust environmental protection
- Improved labor conditions
- Increased attractiveness of VISR to vessel operators

These updates strengthen Vanuatu’s fleet, making VISR more appealing to vessels seeking a compliant, future-ready registry, and providing a strategic advantage over traditional open registries.

More than regulation—this is a national strategy.
The Vanuatu government is deeply committed to enhancing its maritime sector and maximizing its long-term benefits for both its people and the global maritime community.