International Maritime Organization

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) is the highest technical body in the IMO and is concerned with all IMO matters concerning maritime safety. This includes the handling of dangerous goods, vessel design and construction, maritime safety procedures and requirements, salvage, and rescue.

The Facilitation Committee (FAL) considers all aspects of implementing the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic 1965, such as eliminating unnecessary ‘red tape’ barriers to international shipping. The balance between ensuring maritime security and the facilitation of international maritime trade is also a focus.

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) considers all IMO matters concerning the prevention and control of pollution from ships. The adoption and amendment of regulations such as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is a focus for the committee. This regulation covers oil, chemical and harmful substance pollution as well as garbage, sewage, and air pollution from ships.

WNTI attends the Sub-Committee on the Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) which deals with, among other items, the carriage of packaged dangerous goods and keeps the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code updated. The CCC also collaborates with other UN bodies dealing with similar issues.

GISIS is a database that provides information on topics such as,

1 – Contact points for Competent Authorities

2 – Maritime Security

3 – Piracy and Armed Robbery

4 – Crew change and repatriation

5 – More.

Visit the GISIS site to register/login.

IMO Resolutions are adopted by the key organs and committees of the Organization.   Resolutions are first issued within the official IMO meeting reports and documents relating to the relevant committee or organ.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significant impacts on the shipping industry and on seafarers themselves, and IMO is working tirelessly at all levels to find solutions.

Travel restrictions imposed by governments around the world have created significant hurdles to crew changes and repatriation of seafarers, which has led to a growing humanitarian crisis as well as significant concerns for the safety of seafarers and shipping. IMO has intervened promptly by urging its Member States to designate seafarers as key workers, so they can travel between the ships that constitute their workplace, and their countries of residence.

The IMO have created a dedicated site for COVID-19 matters.