Your voice at the IMO: Inside the IMO: A master mariner’s perspective from PPR 13
What really happens at IMO pollution meetings and how do those decisions affect ships and seafarers? In this episode, a master mariner shares insights from inside the room.
In this episode of Your Voice at the IMO, we go inside the 13th session of the Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) Sub-Committee at the International Maritime Organization.
Joined by experienced master mariner Nigel Budd, we explore how environmental regulations are discussed, debated, and shaped and what they mean for real-world operations at sea. With over 50 years of seagoing experience, Nigel brings a practical, frontline perspective to complex topics such as exhaust gas cleaning systems, sewage treatment, and anti-fouling coatings.
What you will learn in this video:
- What happens inside IMO pollution meetings (PPR Sub-Committee)
- How maritime environmental regulations are developed
- Why IMO decisions can take years to finalise
- The role of seafarers in influencing global shipping policy
- Real-world challenges behind regulations like anti-fouling systems
- How small wording changes (“shall” vs “should”) impact global rules
- Why practical experience is essential in shaping effective legislation
This episode highlights the critical importance of bringing real seafarer experience into policy discussions, ensuring regulations are not only environmentally responsible, but also operationally practical.
Nigel also shares his personal journey from cadet to master mariner, offering insight into how decades of experience can contribute meaningfully at the highest levels of maritime governance.
The discussion also covers:
- Environmental trade-offs in shipping regulation
- Invasive species and biofouling challenges
- Collaboration between governments, NGOs and industry stakeholders
- The growing importance of volunteer expert delegates
Whether you're a seafarer, maritime professional, or interested in global shipping policy, this episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how environmental regulations are shaped—and why your voice matters.