The International Maritime Organisation has set up a new sub-division within the UN secretariat's maritime safety division in response to enhanced focus on maritime security.

As announced by the IMO secretary general, Efthimios Mitropoulos, in early January, the new body will address the issue of facilitating maritime traffic, under the leadership of Nicolaos Charalambous of Cyprus, who has become the new deputy director from January 1.

Mr Mitropoulos said the formation of the new sub-division reflects the continuing need for the IMO and the maritime industry as a whole, to sustain efforts in improvement of security in all aspects of ship and port operations, whilst at the same time to facilitate the movement of people and goods by ship.