International Maritime Organization Law and Legal Definition
International Maritime Organization or IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that create international rules relating to “safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean waters.” IMO was established in 1948 and is headquartered in the United Kingdom. IMO is engaged in developing and maintaining a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping and includes safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical co-operation, maritime security and the efficiency of shipping. IMO has 169 Member States and three Associate Members. IMO has developed a comprehensive body of international conventions including measures aimed at the prevention of accidents, including standards for ship design, construction, equipment, operation and manning. Important treaties entered into by IMO member states include SOLAS, the MARPOL convention for the prevention of pollution by ships and the STCW convention on standards of training for seafarers. IMO has also formulated measures including rules concerning distress and safety communications, the International Convention on Search and Rescue and the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation. It has also created conventions which establish compensation and liability regimes including the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, the convention establishing the International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage and the Athens Convention covering liability and compensation for passengers at sea. Inspection and monitoring of compliance of IMO norms is the responsibility of member States.
Legal Definition list
- International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
- International Maritime Consultative Organization
- International Mail
- International Loan
- International Load Line Certificate
- International Maritime Organization
- International Military Agency and Training Program
- International Minimum Standard
- International Monetary Fund
- International Narcotics Control Board
- International Narcotics Trafficking
Related Legal Terms
- 527 Organizations
- Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding [USIP]
- Admiralty and Maritime
- Admiralty Court/Maritime Court
- Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate Course [Education]
- Alaska Native Organization [Education]
- Ally [International Law]
- Amateur Sports Organization
- American College of Forensic Examiners International [ACFEI]
- American Society for International Law [ASIL]
