The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) delegation to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) plays an active role in the work of all the major IMO committee and sub-committee meetings. This active participation gives a voice to owners and operators of RMI-flagged vessels in the critical international regulatory process. Over the years, several individuals from the RMI Maritime Administrator have had the privilege to serve in leadership roles at IMO. An overview of some of these roles and positions is below to highlight the depth and breadth of the RMI Maritime Administrator’s participation.
MaryAnne Adams, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, ended her term as Chair of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) in early 2025. She is currently coordinating an intersessional Correspondence Group established by the IMO Facilitation Committee (FAL) on maritime digitalization. MaryAnne was the first RMI delegate to Chair one of the seven IMO Sub-Committees.
Alan Blume, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, is a longtime participant in the IMO Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III) Working Group on Casualty Analysis. He chaired the working group during the 10th session of III in July 2024 and is expected to chair this same working group during the Sub-Committee’s 11th session later this month. The Casualty Analysis Working Group reviews and analyzes marine casualty investigation findings. Outcomes from this Working Group play a crucial role in enabling the IMO to identify trends and lessons learned from marine casualty investigations carried out by IMO Member States which are used to improve standards for the protection of seafarer safety and wellbeing. Alan has also contributed to improving the Marine Casualty Investigation Module of the IMO’s Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) database and is a longtime representative to the Marine Accident Investigators’ International Forum (MAIIF) having recently stepped down as the Deputy Chair of that organization.
Eric Linsner, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, coordinated intersessional Correspondence Group work, and chaired several Working Groups at CCC on the development of standards for the use of high manganese austenitic steel for cryogenic service from the 5th session of CCC in 2018 through to completion of the work in 2022. Since then, Eric has continued to chair Working Groups at CCC on amendments to modernize the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) and International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code). Eric has also chaired the Working Group on the development of guidelines for the use of ammonia cargo as fuel. Eric provides guidance on technical and commercial issues relating to LNG vessels based on his 37 years of liquefied natural gas (LNG) design and operational experience, which he also draws upon when coordinating the complex work of the CCC Sub-Committee addressing the IGC Code and IGF Code modernization.
Charles McHardy, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, is currently leading the final stages of the development of a non-mandatory goal-based instrument for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). Charles previously coordinated Intersessional Correspondence Groups on the subject, and Chaired MASS Working Groups at the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) 107 and FAL 47. Development of the non-mandatory MASS Code is expected to be completed in 2026, followed by work toward a mandatory MASS Code in the future. Charles’ steadfast commitment and attention to detail has played a crucial role in supporting the development of this new instrument, which will shape the deployment of various stages of autonomous technology for international shipping.
Diego Ramirez, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, was elected Chair of the IMO Legal Committee (LEG) during its 12th session in March 2025. Since 2007 Diego has served as an RMI delegate to meetings of the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) Funds, IMO LEG, MSC, FAL, and Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC).
Mark Rijsdijk, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, chaired the Working Group tasked with keeping survey guidelines updated under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC), from the 3rd session of III in 2016 until the 9th session in 2023. Mark covers a range of topics at IMO and is a subject matter technical expert on international cargo carriage standards for the RMI, participating in heavily detailed work keeping the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code up to date. Consequently, Mark is an active participant in all cargo related meetings within the IMO such as the CCC Sub-Committee, the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention Response (PPR), and the Editorial and Technical (E&T) group for the IMDG and IMSBC Codes. He has also been part of the Evaluation of Safety and Pollution Hazard of Chemicals (ESPH) Working Group which put forward the 2021 revisions to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code).
Thanos Theocharis, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, chaired a Drafting Group at the 10th session of Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC) in 2024, addressing amendments to guidelines on means of embarkation and disembarkation from ships, unified interpretations to noise level requirements on board ships, and requirements in the 1988 Load Line Protocol regarding requirements for guard rails on the deck structure. Previously, Thanos chaired the Working Group on the revision of the performance standards for water level detectors at the 9th session of SDC in 2023. The revision to the performance standard was necessary following amendments to requirements for water level detectors on bulk carriers and single hold cargo ships other than bulk carriers. Thanos is regularly engaging in a wide spectrum of work at IMO, focusing on Ballast Water Management Convention matters, International Safety Management (ISM) Code, alternative fuels, prevention of pollution by sewage, and survey/certification requirements.
With a highly experienced and active delegation, RMI Maritime Administrator personnel are honored to play a role in the regulatory process and offer owners and operators of RMI-flagged vessels a voice in that process. The work of the IMO is crucial to strengthening safe operating conditions on board vessels and protecting marine life, vessels, and seafarers.
