New appointments at IMO

Two new senior level appointments have been made at the International Maritime Organization following the accession of Mr Efthimios E. Mitropoulos of Greece to the position of Secretary-General at the beginning of the year. Mr Koji Sekimizu of Japan moves across from the Organization's Marine Environment Division to fill Mr Mitropoulos's previous role as Director of the Maritime Safety Division, while Mr Jean-Claude Sainlos of France steps up to become Director of the Marine Environment Division. In announcing the two appointments, Mr Mitropoulos said, "With the MSD having to service two important sub-committees in the course of this month alone and the MED preparing for next month's all-important International Conference on Ballast Water Management for Ships and MEPC 51 in March, both divisions needed a head to provide guidance and direction immediately. I am confident that Mr Sekimizu and Mr Sainlos will respond successfully to the expectations of all parties concerned and will serve well the cause of enhanced safety, security and environmental protection." The new appointments are effective from 1 January 2004.