IMO – the International Maritime Organization – is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.
As a specialized agency of the United Nations, 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.
In other words, its role is to create a level playing-field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance. This approach also encourages innovation and efficiency.
Shipping is a truly international industry, and it can only operate effectively if the regulations and standards are themselves agreed, adopted and implemented on an international basis. And IMO is the forum at which this process takes place.
International shipping transports about 90 per cent of global trade to peoples and communities all over the world. Shipping is the most efficient and cost-effective method of international transportation for most goods; it provides a dependable, low-cost means of transporting goods globally, facilitating commerce and helping to create prosperity among nations and peoples.
The world relies on a safe, secure and efficient international shipping industry – and this is provided by the regulatory framework developed and maintained by IMO.
IMO measures cover all aspects of international shipping – including ship design, construction, equipment, manning, operation and disposal – to ensure that this vital sector for remains safe, environmentally sound, energy efficient and secure.
Shipping is an essential component of any program for future sustainable economic growth. Through IMO, the Organization’s Member States, civil society and the shipping industry are already working together to ensure a continued and strengthened contribution towards a green economy and growth in a sustainable manner. The promotion of sustainable shipping and sustainable maritime development is one of the major priorities of IMO in the coming years.
Energy efficiency, new technology and innovation, maritime education and training, maritime security, maritime traffic management and the development of the maritime infrastructure: the development and implementation, through IMO, of global standards covering these and other issues will underpin IMO's commitment to provide the institutional framework necessary for a green and sustainable global maritime transportation system.
The following are some of the latest news from the IMO activities relating to the safety aspects of the shipping and maritime environmental protection:
31/07/2014 - amendments to mandatory instruments
16/07/2014 - Black Sea Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control - Concentrated inspection campaign on STCW Hours of Rest
09/07/2014 - Dubai - Control of air pollution from ships during port stay
04/07/2014 - Saba Bank Particularly Sensitive Sea Area
30/06/2014 - Standards for the traffic and permanence of vessels in Brazilian Jurisdictional Waters (NORMAM-08/DPC)
18/06/2014 - Republic of the Marshall Islands Office of the Maritime Administrator Ship Security Advisory No. 21-14 - Revised West Africa HRA and voluntary reporting area (VRA)
16/06/2014 - Rules for Steel Ships - Part A amendments - Class Notations
16/06/2014 - Rules for Steel Ships - Part A amendments - Classification and Surveys
12/06/2014 - USCG - NTVRP Interim Operating Authorizations expire on 31 July 2014
06/06/2014 - US - Vessel discharges FAQs
06/06/2014 - IMO MSC 93 - OVERVIEW REPORT & SUMMARY REPORT
04/06/2014 - Standards for the operation of foreign-flagged vessels in Brazilian jurisdictional waters (NORMAM 04), 2013
28/05/2014 - COOK ISLANDS - New Requirements for Fire-Fighters' Outfits
13/05/2014 - USCG - Navigation safety equipment testing required for cruise ships
28/04/2014 - Counterfeit nautical charts and publications
18/04/2014 - USCG - Availability of adequate reception facilities
10/04/2014 - USCG - Failure of hand portable fire extinguisher
07/04/2014 - USCG - Fixed water-based local application fire-fighting systems
07/04/2014 - IMO MEPC 66 - Overview Report & Summary Reports
28/03/2014 - IMO STCW Circular 21 - Action to be taken in cases where seafarers do not carry certification required in accordance with regulation VI/6 of the STCW Convention and section A-VI/6, paragraphs 4 and 6 of the STCW Code after 1 January 2014
28/03/2014 - IMO STCW Circular 22 - Clarification on training and certification requirements for ship security officers and seafarers with designated security duties
17/03/2014 - IMO SSE 1 - Overview & Summary reports
13/03/2014 - MPA Singapore - MLC 2006 Issuance of Maritime Labor Certificates - Circular 07-2014
07/03/2014 - USCG - Unannounced examinations of cruise ships
19/02/2014 - Amendments to SOLAS Chapter III entering into force on 01.01.2015
14/02/2014 - IMO PPR 1 - Overview & Summary Reports
07/02/2014 - Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention - Adjustment to the Compliance Schedule
30/01/2014 - IMO SDC 1 - Overview & Summary reports
06/01/2014 - PANAMA CANAL - Vessel requirements - Revision
20/12/2013 - Adoption of new harmonized Common Structural Rules
Source: IMO Website
Recent Post
The Directorate General of Sea Transportation carries out the Oversight Cooperation Agreement Progra
The Directorate General of Sea Transportation carried out an Oversight at the Head Office of PT Bureau Klasifikasi
New BKI Medan Branch Office Increases Business Effectiveness and Productivity
As a state-owned holding company for survey services - IDSurvey, in 2022, BKI Medan will contribute 17.5 percent of 100
Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia (BKI) Collaborates with Badak LNG to Develop Shipping Resources and Cert
PT Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia (Persero) or BKI as the parent BUMN of IDSurvey Holding initiated cooperation in the
BKI Wins the 2023 GRC Award as The Best in Corporate Risk Management
PT Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia (Persero) or BKI won an award at the 2023 GRC & Performance Excellence Award. This
Visit to the Chinese Classification Board
On September 12-13 2023, the IDSurvey Board of Directors visited CCS in order to strengthen cooperation between the two