From 11 to 13 March 2026, the Regional Workshop on the Implementation of the International Safety Management Code (ISM Code) was held in Panama City. The workshop aimed to strengthen the effective application of this key instrument for maritime safety.
The activity was sponsored by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and coordinated by the Central American Commission for Maritime Transport (COCATRAM), with the support of the Panama Maritime Authority.
The workshop brought together 26 officials responsible for maritime safety management from Maritime Authorities and companies in the sector across various Latin American countries. The main objective was to strengthen the effective implementation of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code and to promote a consistent and harmonized application of this regulatory framework across the region.
This initiative forms part of IMO’s technical cooperation programmes and continues previous capacity-building efforts, including a virtual workshop held in 2020 aimed at supporting States in improving their maritime safety management systems.
During the three working days, participants analyzed practical challenges, gaps, and common deficiencies in the implementation of the ISM Code, drawing on experiences from international audits and operational practices in different countries. They also reviewed updated guidelines for the application of the Code by maritime administrations and companies, as well as the results of audits conducted under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme.
The programme also included an analysis of the IMO study on the effectiveness of the ISM Code. Its conclusions and recommendations were examined in group working sessions, allowing participants to identify relevant findings within their own organizations and propose measures to strengthen the application of safety management systems.
Among the workshop speakers were IMO officer Ismael Cobos and international consultant Hans Ekdahl, a specialist with extensive experience at the Directorate General of the Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine of Chile, where he developed much of his professional career in the field of maritime safety.
The final session addressed topics such as the human element in the implementation of safety management systems, recent decisions of the Maritime Safety Committee related to the ISM Code, the role of flag States and recognized organizations, as well as the responsibility of companies in promoting a strong safety culture.
