IMO
From MarineWiki
IMO (International Maritime Organization) is the United Nation's specialized agency responsible for improving maritime safety and preventing pollution from ships.
Contents |
Activities
IMO adopts and promote conventions, protocols, codes and recommendations in order to improve maritime safety and prevent pollution from ships.
Structure of IMO
IMO accomplishes its work through the following bodies:
Assembly
- is the highest governing body of the organization
- consists of member states (Flag state administrations)
- meets once in two years in regular sessions, but may meet in an extraordinary session if necessary
- is responsible for approving the work program, voting the budget and determining the financial arrangements of the organization
- elects the council
Council
- is composed of 32 member states elected by the assembly for two-year terms begining after each regular session of the assembly
- is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible for supervising the work of the organization
- co-ordinates the activities of the organs of the organization
- considers the draft work program and budget estimates and submit them to the assembly
- receives report and proposal of committees and other organs and submit to assemble with comments and suggestions
- appoints Secretary-General, subject to the approval of the assembly
- enters in to agreements or arrangements concerning the relationship of the organization with other organizations, subject to approval by the assembly
Committees
There are four main committees and one sub-committee
Maritime Safety Committee (MSC)
- is the highest governing body of the organization
- consists of all member states
- consider all matters directly affecting maritime safety
- expanded MSC adopts amendments to conventions such as SOLAS and includes all member states as well as countries which are party to conventions even if they are not IMO member states
Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC)
- consists of all member states
- consider any matter concerned with prevention and control of pollution from ships
- is connected with the adoption and amendment of conventions and other regulations and measures to ensure their enforcement
Legal Committee
- consists of all member states
- is empowered to deal with any legal matters
Technical Cooperation Committee
- consists of all member states
- consider matters concerned with the implementation of technical co-operation projects and any other matters related to the organization's activities in the technical co-operation field.
Facilitation Committee and Sub-committee
Facilitation Committee:
- is a subsidiary body of the council
- deals with IMO's work in eliminating unnecessary formalities and "red-tape" in international shipping
- open to all member states
Sub-committees: The MSC and MEPC are assisted in their work by nine sub-committees which are open to all member states. They include
- Bulk Liquids and Gases (BLG)
- Carriage of dangerous goods, solid cargoes, and containers (DSC)
- Fire Protection (FP)
- Radio communications and search and rescue (COMSAR)
- Safety of navigation (NAV)
- Ship design and equipment (DE)
- Stability and load lines and fishing vessels safety (SLF)
- Standards of training and watch keeping (STW)
- Flag state implementation (FSI)
