IMO
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the United Nations specialised agency responsible for the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships. Founded in 1948, headquartered in London, with 175+ member states.
IMO's major instruments include: SOLAS (safety), MARPOL (pollution), STCW (crew training), MLC 2006 (labour, via ILO), BWM (ballast water management), the ISM Code and ISPS Code. IMO also sets the technical standards on ship design (EEDI/EEXI) and operational efficiency (CII).
The IMO is the source of nearly every rule a ship must follow. Understanding it explains why SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, ISM, ISPS and CII all exist and interlock — they are IMO instruments, adopted globally and enforced through flag states and class societies.
What does the IMO do?
It is the UN agency that sets global standards for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping, through conventions that member states adopt into national law.
What are the IMO's main conventions?
SOLAS (safety), MARPOL (pollution), STCW (crew training), the ISM and ISPS Codes, MLC 2006 (labour, with the ILO), plus efficiency measures like EEXI and CII.