IMO– the International
Maritime Organization
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| IMO |
What is IMO?
IMO is the United
Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of
shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.
Member Governments use IMO
to draw up internationally agreed standards that can be applied to all ships.
IMO – originally
known as the International Maritime Consultative Organization, or IMCO - was
established by means of a convention that was adopted in Geneva in 1948. The
convention received enough signatures to enter into force ten years later in
1958 and the first meeting of IMO was held in London in 1959.
IMO has always
been headquartered in London, being based at a variety of different addresses
before moving to its present home in 1982. The headquarters building was
purpose-built for IMO by the UK Government and is leased from the UK
under the “headquarters agreement”.
Why we need IMO?
The need for an international agency for shipping stems from the fact
that shipping is perhaps the most international of all the world's global
industries, with many different countries are involved in the construction,
ownership, operation, manning, survey and inspection of ships.
It’s global importance cannot be underestimated, as it literally
underpins world trade and the global economy. Unusually, its prime assets – the
ships themselves – move between countries and between different jurisdictions;
hence the need for universal standards that can be applied to and recognized by
all.
IMO is one of the
smallest UN agencies, headquartered in London, with an annual budget of less
than 20 million pounds and around 300 staff in the secretariat.
So how does IMO work?
IMO’s main ruling
body is the Assembly, which consists of all Member States and meets every two
years. The Assembly is responsible for approving the Organization’s work
programme, voting the budget and determining the financial arrangements of the
Organization.
Then there is a Council, which is made up of 40 Member States elected by
the Assembly. It oversees the work of the organization between Assembly
sessions.
The technical work of the Organization is carried out by a series of
Committees, to which the Member States send their experts as appropriate. The
titles of the Committees clearly reflect their area of expertise and
responsibility.
The Member states of IMO use the Organization to agree standards
covering all aspects of maritime safety, security and pollution prevention for
international shipping. The responsibility for implementing the standards
agreed and adopted by IMO rests with the Member states themselves. They
undertake to ensure that ships flying their flag comply with provisions of the IMO
Conventions to which they are party. Many of them choose to delegate the survey
and inspection of vessels to so-called “recognised organisations” such as
classification societies.
IMO has adopted a
voluntary audit scheme that will help flag states to assess how effectively
they are fulfilling their obligations under the various IMO conventions
to which they are party. The first audits will be in 2006
Many of the Conventions also allow for coastal states to inspect foreign
flag ships calling at their ports to ensure that they comply with the appropriate standards. This a
process called Port Sate Control, which IMO supports and encourages as a
back up to flag-state implementation
IMO itself has no
mandate to oversee or police the implementation of IMO instruments.
However, considerable emphasis is placed on helping flag states to fulfil their
obligations properly and effectively.
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