Posted: September 30th, 2022
The role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) towards maintaining and enhancing maritime safety
The role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) towards maintaining and enhancing maritime safety
The United Nations created the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1958 with the primary mission of assuring safety and security in the maritime industry. This agency's name stands for the International Maritime Organization. The convention that would eventually become the organization was initially suggested in 1948, but it would not become operational until 1948, ten years after that, after 21 states, each of which had more than one million gross tons of shipping, joined the convention. The International Maritime Organization has a total of 171 member states by the year 2020, in addition to three associate members.
In accordance with the provisions of the agreement, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is entrusted with promoting the adoption of the highest possible standards for maritime safety, efficient navigation, and the prevention and management of marine pollution. Being an agency of the United Nations gives the International Maritime Organization (IMO) the responsibility of ensuring that the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations are achieved.
Over the course of its history, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has developed a set of laws that must be followed in order to safeguard the maritime environment from the damaging effects of pollution and other negative side effects related with shipping activities. Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) protects the ocean from pollution caused by oil, chemicals being transported in large quantities, sewage and garbage from ships. Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) stipulates the mandatory measures to be upheld in the construction, equipment, and operation of merchant ships to protect human life. Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (SOLAS) protects the ocean from pollution caused by garbage and sewage from ships. Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from