International Maritime Organization(IMO)

In News

Recently ,The International Maritime Organization(IMO) council awarded Certificate of Commendation to the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and Master along with crew members of tugboat Ocean Bliss for exceptional and courageous efforts towards the rescue operation of M/T New Diamond. 

About IMO

• It is the United Nations specialized agency and the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. 
• It was established through the UN Convention in Geneva in 1948 having its headquarters in London. 
• It currently has 174 Member States constituting its Assembly which meet biennially.
• The Assembly elects 40 Member States to constitute the Council which acts as a governing body.
• Roles :
  • Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.
  • It does not have an implementation mechanism.
  • It is also involved in legal matters, including liability and compensation issues and the facilitation of international maritime traffic.
  • IMO has adopted measures to reduce air pollution from ships as well as energy efficiency measures including the Energy Efficiency Design Index, which is mandatory for new ships, and the requirement for a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan, for all ships.
• Key IMO Conventions:

• SOLAS(1974)- International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. 
• MARPOL(1973)- International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.
• STCW– International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

Source: IMO