IMO – International Maritime Organization

The International Maritime Organization, International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a UN special body, which handles technical shipping matters. Its headquarters is in London.

Matters handled by IMO above all concern safety at sea, prevention of pollution of the seas, legal matters related to shipping and technical assistance in the shipping sector to development countries. The organization started operating in 1958, and at present 164 states have joined as members.

IMO’s general assembly meets once every two years. IMO also has a council and two technical main committees, the Maritime Safety Committee and the Marine Environment Protection Committee. Other vital committees are the Legal Committee and the Technical Co-operation Committee. There is also a large number of technical sub-committees, who prepare various technical matters for further handling, principally by the Marine Environment Protection Committee.

Read more at: www.imo.org