As a specialized agency of the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), is the global authority responsible for setting standards for safety, security and environmental performance to be observed in international shipping. Its main function is to establish a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, and that is adopted and applied at the international level.

In other words, its role is to create a level playing field so that shipowners have a variety of ways to solve their financial problems that do not simply involve budget cuts that compromise safety, security and environmental performance. Moreover, this approach promotes innovation and efficiency. Further information

IMO works mainly focused on:

Maritime Safety

Through the Maritime Safety Committee, IMO’s main technical body on safety issues, the most appropriate way to improve safety at sea is through the development of international rules to be complied with by all maritime nations and it carries out its work with the assistance of various subcommittees. Further information

Maritime Security

With regard to Maritime Security, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) provides support, assistance and guidance to Member Governments on matters relating to the implementation of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 SOLAS, International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS), among others. Further information

Protection of the Marine Environment

In the overall context of sustainable development, maritime transport is a major and very positive driving force, as it contributes significantly to global trade and prosperity and its negative impact on the global environment is relatively small.

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) is the IMO’s highest technical body on marine pollution matters, and carries out its work with the assistance of various IMO subcommittees. Further information

Human Factor

The safety and security of life at sea, the protection of the marine environment and more than 90% of world trade depend on the professionalism and competence of seafarers. seafarers. The IMO International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, was the first internationally agreed convention to address the issue of minimum standards of competence for seafarers. In 1995, the Training Convention was completely revised and updated to clarify the required standards of competence and to provide effective mechanisms for the implementation of its provisions. Further information

Facilitation

The main objective of the IMO Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (Facilitation Convention), adopted in 1965, is to make maritime transport as efficient as possible by ensuring the smooth transit of ships, cargoes and passengers in ports. This efficiency has a clear impact on the growth of trade and, consequently, on the economy.

The Facilitation Convention comprises “Standards” and “Recommended Practices” relating to formalities, documents and formalities applicable to the arrival, stay and departure of ships, both as regards the ship itself and its crew, passengers, baggage and cargo.

The Facilitation Committee (FAL) is working with Member States to ensure that ships move from one port to another without unnecessary delay, simplifying and reducing paperwork and formalities during their stay and departure on international voyages. IMO intends to involve all Member States and the shipping industry as a whole in such activities in order to improve and facilitate the smooth passage of ships. Further information

Technical Cooperation

While IMO adopts international shipping regulations, it is up to governments to implement them. IMO has developed an Integrated Technical Cooperation Program, which is designed to assist governments that lack the technical expertise and resources to manage the shipping industry safely and effectively. This is done through the Technical Cooperation (TC) Committee. Further information

Legal Affairs

Although IMO’s work focuses primarily on the safety of navigation and the prevention of marine pollution, the Organization has also introduced rules on civil liability and compensation for damage, such as pollution, caused by ships. The Legal Committee (LEG), which is empowered to deal with any legal matter within the scope of the Organization, is composed of all IMO Member States. It was established in 1967 as a subsidiary body to deal with legal issues that arose in the aftermath of the Torrey Canyon. For further information, please contact