(NEWS) IMO Expert Lecture on Role of Marine Casualty Investigation and IMOs GISIS Database in Enhancing Maritime Safety

February

2026

IMO Expert Lecture on Role of Marine Casualty Investigation and IMOs GISIS Database in Enhancing Maritime Safety

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On 30 January, Mrs Leedwine David Pichon, Implementation Support Officer, Department for Member State, Audit and Implementation Support at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) delivered a lecture on the role of IMO’s Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) database in enhancing maritime safety.

Addressing students of the Maritime Safety and Environmental Administration MSc specialization, Mrs David Pichon delivered a lecture focusing on the significance of marine casualty investigation reporting. She explored the legislative framework governing MCI reporting and examined how effective reporting supports the rule-making process. Through practical examples, the presentation illustrated common challenges in meeting reporting obligations, as well as the importance of capacity development and long-term self-sustainability. Mrs Pichon also reviewed available reporting tools and provided an in-depth explanation of the IMO GISIS Database exchange protocols. The session concluded with a discussion of the key challenges associated with reporting requirements.

At IMO, Mrs David Pichon deals with casualty related matters as part of Implementation Support work within Sub‑division for Member State Audit and Implementation under the auspices of Technical Cooperation and Implementation Division. Her expertise is related to the work of the Correspondence Group and Working Group on Analysis of Marine safety Investigation reports, the management of the Marine Casualty and Incident module of GISIS as well as the development of train-the-trainers activities on casualty investigation and reporting as part of the Technical Cooperation work carried out by IMO. Prior to joining IMO in 2008, she was part of the Permanent Representation of France to the IMO, involved in the preparation and organization of IMO meetings. In 2015, she was deeply involved in Casualty investigation activities within the Organization and promoted as Implementation Support Officer in 2019.

The Malmö MSc in Maritime Affairs is a 14-month programme with seven specializations: Maritime Education & Training; Maritime Energy Management; Maritime Law & Policy; Maritime Safety & Environmental Administration; Ocean Sustainability, Governance and Management; Port Management, and Shipping Management & Logistics. Foundation studies are taught in the first term and cover the introductory knowledge that is fundamental to all activities in the maritime field. Three successive terms focus on specialization studies and a dissertation. WMU has more than 80 Visiting Lecturers from around the world who contribute their expertise to enrich the education of WMU students.

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