Vanuatu has strengthened its commitment to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable oceans with the formal deposit of five major international maritime conventions at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) headquarters in London.

The instruments were officially deposited by the Honourable Ralph Regenvanu, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, following their ratification by the Parliament of Vanuatu in June 2025. This milestone underscores Vanuatu’s commitment to upholding international maritime standards and advancing global ocean governance.

The five ratified conventions include:

• The Cape Town Agreement (2012): Enhances safety standards for fishing vessels.
• The Ballast Water Management Convention (2004): Prevents the spread of invasive aquatic species through ships’ ballast water.
• The Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks (2007): Ensures timely removal of shipwrecks that pose hazards to navigation and the marine environment.
• The STCW-F Convention (1995): Sets standards for the training and certification of crews on fishing vessels.
• The Anti-Fouling Systems Convention (2001): Prohibits harmful anti-fouling paints on ships that damage marine ecosystems.

“This is a proud and defining moment for Vanuatu,” said Minister Regenvanu during the deposit ceremony with IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Domínguez Velasco. “By ratifying these five critical IMO conventions, we are not only strengthening safety and environmental protection in our own waters but also contributing to global efforts to ensure sustainable, safe, and responsible maritime operations.”

The ratifications bring several strategic benefits for Vanuatu, including enhanced fishing vessel safety, stronger environmental safeguards, improved training and capacity for seafarers, and reinforced maritime governance — bolstering Vanuatu’s credibility as a responsible flag State.

The deposit ceremony took place at IMO Headquarters in London and was witnessed by the Vanuatu delegation attending the IMO Marine Environment Pollution Committee Extraordinary Session 2 (MEPC ES2) for the adoption of the IMO Net-Zero Framework in decarbonizing international shipping.

With these ratifications, Vanuatu joins the ranks of leading maritime nations shaping the future of international shipping through the adoption and implementation of best practices in maritime safety, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance.