Kiri

7 July 2022 Mr. Taavi Aas Minister Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications Suur-Ameerika 1 Tallinn 10122 Estonia Dear Minister, Subject: IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) Audit of the Republic of Estonia, April 2024 I am pleased to inform you that, following the adoption of resolution A.1067(28) on the Framework and Procedures for the IMO Member State Audit Scheme, resolution A.1070(28) on the IMO Instruments Implementation Code (III Code), as well as amendments to the following instruments: 1 the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (SOLAS 1974); 2 the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, as amended (MARPOL 73/78); 3 the Protocol of 1997 to amend the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL PROT 1997); 4 the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW 1978); 5 the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 (LL 66); 6 the Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 (LL PROT 1988); 7 the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 (TONNAGE 1969); and 8 the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as amended (COLREG 1972),  -2- the use of the III Code as the audit standard and auditing of Member States that are Parties to those instruments, to ascertain the level of implementation and enforcement of the provisions of those instruments, became mandatory on 1 January 2016. The Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (SOLAS PROT 1988) is also covered by the Scheme, as the amendment to the parent Convention is applicable to that instrument. The Council, at its 112th session, which was held from 16 to 20 June 2014, noted the audit schedule that was developed based on the principles established in paragraph 4.1 of the Procedures for Member State audit contained in the annex to resolution A.1067(28). The original audit schedule referred to above is contained in document C 112/INF.3. An updated and detailed schedule is attached to document C 127/12. Mandatory audits of Member States under the Scheme commenced in 2016. Each Member State will be subject to audits by the Organization at periodic intervals not exceeding seven years, to verify compliance with, and implementation of, the provisions of those conventions to which they are a Party. Audits will be carried out in line with the Framework and Procedures for the IMO Member State Audit Scheme and using the III Code as the audit standard. Based on the overall audit schedule, the audit timetable for the year 2024 has been developed and I wish to inform you that the audit of Estonia is tentatively scheduled for April 2024 which is reflected in the annex to document C 127/12. The actual date of the audit will be determined after consultation with your designated single point of contact for the audit. To facilitate planning and preparation for the audit, it would be appreciated if you would kindly respond with an acknowledgment letter, indicating the name, title and full contact details, including mailing address, telephone, fax and e-mail of your State’s designated single point of contact for the audit, who will be contacted directly by our Department for Member State Audit and Implementation Support, to progress the processes for the audit. In order to prepare all detailed arrangements for the audit, I would also appreciate receiving your confirmation of the IMO official language chosen by Estonia to be used for the audit, at your earliest convenience, taking into account that audit reports will be issued in one of the three working languages of the Organization. It is expected that participation in the audit process will bring tangible benefits and provide an effective mechanism to promote the consistent and effective implementation of applicable IMO instruments, whilst at the same time assisting Member States to improve their capabilities and overall performance in compliance with the requirements of the instruments to which they are a Party. With that in mind, I would like to seek your cooperation in this matter and thank you for the support the Organization has received in reaching this important milestone. With highest regards, Yours sincerely, Kitack Lim Secretary-General 7 July 2022 His Excellency Mr. Viljar Lubi Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Embassy of the Republic of Estonia 44 Queen’s Gate Terrace London SW7 5PJ Excellency, Subject: IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) Audit of the Republic of Estonia, April 2024 I have the honour to inform you of the scheduled audit of Estonia under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme. You may wish to note that as of 1 January 2016, the audit of Member States is a treaty obligation for parties to the relevant IMO instruments. Audits are carried out in line with the Framework and Procedures for the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (resolution A.1067(28)) and using the IMO Instruments Implementation (III) Code (resolution A.1070(28)) as the audit standard. Based on the overall audit schedule, the audit timetable for the year 2024 has been developed and the audit of Estonia is tentatively scheduled for April 2024. In this regard, please find enclosed a letter addressed to Mr. Taavi Aas, Minister for Economic Affairs and Infrastructure, for onward transmission to the Minister, notifying him of the audit of Estonia under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme and requesting a formal acknowledgement of the audit and provision of necessary information. Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration. Kitack Lim Secretary-General Enc.