International Maritime Organization - IMO

International Maritime Organization, also called IMO or Inter-governmental Maritime Consultative Organization is one of the specialized agencies of United Nations which operates under its parent organ United Nations Economic and Social Council. IMO regulates shipping arrangements around the world. It was established on 17th March, 1948 as a specialized agency of the United Nations to perform the functions of:

1. Sharing and providing machinery and equipments to promote cooperation and coordinating among states in government regulations and practice of matters relating to technology and sea safety.

2. To abolish and encourage the abolishing of discriminatory practices by and restrictions by state governments.

3. To hear and consider matters related to shipping that might can be referred to or brought under its preview by any specialized agency or organ of United Nations.

4. To facilitate exchange of information among states on matters of consideration by the Organization.

5. Drafting Agreements and Conventions for shipping and maritime traveling.

 

 

International Maritime Organization has three main organs:

1. Assembly

Assembly comprises of all member states through their representatives. They together lay down and formulate general policies for IMO when they meet in every 2 years. They can meet anytime in case of emergency situations. It is also responsible for approving the budget and work programs to be held.


2. Council

It is a body of 40 member states elected by and in Assembly to act as the governing body and performs numerous functions explained below:

(i) Ensuring coordination with other organs and agencies of United Nations.

(ii) Preparing draft work program and budget for submission to Assembly for approval.

(iii) Receiving and evaluating proposals and reports from other organs, agencies and committees for submission to Assembly with recommendations.

(iv) Appointment of Secretary-General with the approval of Assembly.

(v) Subject to green flags from Assembly, entering into agreements and arrangements with other organs, committees and agencies.

3. Secretariat

The Secretariat consists of 300+ international civil servants headed by one Secretary General elected by the members. Secretary General governs the organization's daily operations within his Secretary General has a 4 year renewable term and serves for 4 years.

 

IMO also has some committees for specialization of its technical functions:

1. Maritime Safety Committee (MSC)

It is the apex technical body of the organization. This committee has representation from all member states. This committee performs the function to consider any matters within the scope of the Organization considered with aids to navigation, construction and equipment of vessels, manning from a safety standpoint, rules for prevention of collisions, handling of dangerous cargoes, maritime safety procedures and requirements, hydrographic information, log books and navigation records, marine causality investigations, salvage and rescue and any other maters directly affecting maritime safety.



2. The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC)

MEPC comprises of representation from all member states and considers any matters within the scope of the Organization concerned with prevention and control of pollution from ships and adaption and amendment of conventions and other regulations and measures to ensure their enforcement.



3. Legal Committee

It is empowered to deal with any legal matters within the scope of the organization and perform functions it has to with other organs, agencies and committees. It was formed in 1967 with representation from all member states.



4. Technical Cooperation Committee

This committee is empowered to deal with matters within the scope of the organization concerned with implementation of technical cooperation projects for which the Organization acts as the Executing or cooperating agency and any other matters related to the organization's activities in the technical cooperation fields.



5. Facilitation Committee

An amendment in International Maritime Organization Convention of 2008 lead to institutionalization of this body. It works towards elimination of red tape and unnecessary formalities in international shipping by implementing all aspects of The Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic 1965 and all matters within the scope of IMO concerned with facilitation of international maritime traffic.