international maritime organisation for 19 October 2025

International Maritime Organisation Latest News

The United States President Donald Trump recently said that he was “outraged” that the International Maritime Organisation would be voting on whether to impose a carbon emissions price on global shipping and called it a “Global Green New Scam Tax.”

About International Maritime Organisation

• It is the United Nations' specialised agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.
• With 176 Member States and three Associate Members, IMO is based in London.
• IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping. 
• Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted, and universally implemented. 
• The IMO formulates regulations on shipping safety, maritime security, and environmental protection but does not enforce them. 
  • Once a member state adopts a regulation, it becomes part of that country’s domestic law.
• It contributes directly to UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources.
• The organisation also deals with legal matters such as liability, compensation, and facilitation of maritime traffic.
• Organisational Structure:
  • The Assembly is the supreme governing body, comprising all member states. It meets every two years to approve the work programme, budget, and elect members to the Council.
  • The Council acts as the Executive Organ, overseeing IMO’s work in between Assembly sessions.
  • The IMO has five major committees, which are responsible for policy development and regulation formulation, including the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC).
• Funding is sourced through mandatory contributions by member states and also from voluntary donations and commercial revenue.

Source: MINT