WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON PORT STATE CONTROL
ABUJA MOU
ON PORTS STATE CONTROL
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ORGANIZATION
ABOUT US
The Abuja MoU on Port State Control was signed at a Ministerial Conference held in Abuja, Nigeria by sixteen West and Central African States on 22nd of October 1999. The meeting was organised by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and host by the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Abuja memorandum of understanding is the legal document under which countries of the region agreed to develop and implement a common mechanism for the respective port state control activities. The main work of Abuja MoU is harmonization of the port state control procedure and practices of all the countries in the region aimed at eliminating the operation of substandard shipping within the region thereby ensuring maritime safety, security, protection of our marine environment from pollution and improving the working and living conditions of ship crew, and to facilitate regional cooperation and exchange of information among member States.
Abuja MoU Region
The following countries fall within the Abuja-MoU region, namely: -Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo, Cote d’ Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea Bissau, The Gambia, and Togo. On acceptance and depositing of instruments of acceptance with the Secretary General of the Abuja MOU, countries become full members of the MoU.
Relevant International Conventions
The International Convention on Load Lines, (LOADLINE 66);
The International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS 74);
The Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974;
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78);
The International Convention on standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW 78);
The Convention on the International Regulations for preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972; (COLREG 72);
The International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969; (TONNAGE 69), and
The Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976 (ILO Convention No. 147, now Maritime Labour Convention 2006).
ORGANS OF THE ABUJA MOU
Abuja MoU Ministerial Conference
The Abuja MoU Ministerial Conference is the highest decision making body of the Abuja MoU. It comprises of the Ministers of Maritime Transport of the participating Member countries. The Ministerial Conference so far has held twice since the establishment of the MoU in 1999.
Abuja MoU Committee
The Abuja MoU Committee is constituted by Representatives of each of the Maritime Authorities/Administrations that are party to the Memorandum. The function of the Committee is to oversee the general implementation of the MoU. The Committee meets at least once in every year at such times as it may decide. The Committee deliberates, decides and possible approves policies that is of mutual benefit to member States.
Abuja MoU Bureau
The Bureau of Abuja MoU advices the Committee on matters relating to the effective implementation of the MoU and also provide direction to the Secretariat as well as other subsidiary Committee or working group established under the Memorandum. The Bureau meets as necessary before and after the Committee Meetings. The Bureau consist of the following member States; Congo-Brazzaville (current Chairman), Nigeria (current Vice Chairman), Guinea-Conakry (1st Rapporteur), Ghana (2nd Rapporteur) and Secretariat.