International Maritime Organisation (IMO)

International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Latest News

The 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC-83) under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted a landmark decision on shipping emissions.

About the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)

• The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN), responsible for the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.
• It contributes directly to UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources.
• 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.
• The organisation also deals with legal matters such as liability, compensation, and facilitation of maritime traffic.
• It was initially established as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation (IMCO) in 1948, became a UN specialised agency in 1959, and was renamed IMO in 1982.
• The IMO has 174 member states and is headquartered in London.

Organisational Structure of IMO

• 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.

About the MARPOL Convention 

• The MARPOL Convention is the primary international treaty to prevent pollution of the marine environment from ships due to operational or accidental causes.
• It was adopted in 1973 under the IMO and supplemented by the Protocol of 1978, which was introduced following major tanker accidents in the mid-1970s.
• MARPOL currently consists of six technical Annexes, targeting various sources of ship-related pollution:
  • Annex I: Oil pollution (e.g., spills and bilge water discharge),
  • Annex II: Noxious liquid substances in bulk (e.g., chemical tankers),
  • Annex III: Harmful substances in packaged form (e.g., dangerous goods),
  • Annex IV: Sewage discharge from ships,
  • Annex V: Garbage disposal at sea,
  • Annex VI: Air pollution from ships (e.g., sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides).
• India is a signatory to MARPOL and adheres to its annexes through domestic regulations.

International Maritime Organisation (IMO) FAQs

Q1: What is the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)?
Ans: The IMO is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping safety, environmental performance, and legal matters in international waters.

Q2: Where is the headquarters of the IMO located?
Ans: The headquarters of the IMO is located in London, United Kingdom.

Q3: Is India a member of the IMO?
Ans: Yes, India is a founding member of the IMO, having joined in 1959.

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Source: TH