What is International Maritime Organization (IMO)?
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), known as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) until 1982, is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping.
When International Maritime Organization (IMO) was formed?
The IMO was established in Geneva in 1948 and came into force ten years later, meeting for the first time in 1959.
Where is the headquarter of International Maritime Organization (IMO)?
The headquarter of International Maritime Organization (IMO) is in London, United Kingdom.
How many members International Maritime Organization (IMO) has?
IMO has 175 Member States and three Associate Members.
How a state becomes a member of International Maritime Organization (IMO)?
To become a member of the IMO, a state ratifies a multilateral treaty known as the Convention on the International Maritime Organization.
What is the main role of International Maritime Organization (IMO) with respect to shipping industry?
Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.
In other words, its role is to create a level playing-field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance.
What aspects of international shipping are covered by IMO?
IMO measures cover all aspects of international shipping – including ship design, construction, equipment, manning, operation and disposal – to ensure that this vital sector remains safe, environmentally sound, energy efficient and secure.
What are the important legal instruments available with IMO that guide the regulatory development of shipping?
IMO is the source of approximately 60 legal instruments that guide the regulatory development of its member states to improve safety at sea, facilitate trade among seafaring states and protect the maritime environment.
The most well known is the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), as well as International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).