Transport Minister, Honourable Dikobe Ben Martins will, on behalf of the South African Government host Ministers of Transport, Maritime and Fisheries and delegates from the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) member states worldwide, during a Conference on the Safety of Fishing Vessels.

Ministers and delegates attending the Conference are expected to adopt an Agreement on the Implementation of the Torremolinos Protocol of 1993 relating to the 1977 Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Shipping Vessels.

The adoption of the Agreement will ensure without further delay, the global implementation of the fishing vessels safety standards today's fishermen are entitled to expect.

The Conference provides an ideal opportunity for global maritime industry manufacturers of related technologies and other interested organisations and support sectors to exhibit their products and to meet directly with high level decision makers in South Africa.

It will pave the way for members of the IMO and its associates to reach a unanimous agreement that will ensure that the world at large enforces the implementation of the Torremolinos Convention.

Despite improved technology, loss of life in the fishing industry remains unacceptably high, underlining the importance of establishing a globally binding safety regime for fishing vessels that are both robust and workable.

The Details of the Conference are as follows:

Date:               09 - 11 October 2012

Time:              09h30 - 17h30 daily

Venue:            Cape Town International Convention Centre