5 Instruments of International Maritime Organization (IMO) Every Seafarer Should Know

United Nation’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) plays an important role in handling all international maritime affairs with support from the maritime nations of the world.

One of the main aims of IMO is to ensure co-operation among maritime governments of the world. It also uses a number of instruments to implement and maintain the highest standards in areas of maritime safety, prevention of marine pollution, and shipping navigation and trade.

In this article, we will learn about 5 important instruments which IMO uses to ensure smooth operations at the sea, backed by highest standards of maritime safety.

The 5 important instruments of IMO are:

1. Conventions
2. Protocols
3. Amendments
4. Recommendations, codes, and guidelines
5. Resolutions

Conventions

A convention is a written agreement with several parts. Conventions form a major part of maritime affairs governed by the IMO. Some of the major conventions by IMO are Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974 convention and International convention for prevention of pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

It is to note that conventions generally have several sub-parts, which would describe in details various aspects of the subject defined by that particular convention. For e.g. MARPOL convention has six parts which are known as annexes. Each of this annexe deals with different aspect of marine pollution.

It is also possible that details given within a convention are put under an associated code, which provides further technical details of that aspect; for e.g. the Life saving appliances (LSA) code gives details for minimum requirements for safety equipment used on board ships.

Each member state must accept the details mentioned in conventions put forth by the IMO and agree to international supervision required under such conventions.

Thus, conventions act as a treaty between the IMO and member states. It is imperative that every member state abides by the rules and regulations put forth by the IMO.

Protocols

Protocol is an important instrument used by the IMO to introduce changes to conventions, which are already adopted but not yet entered into force.

For e.g. SOLAS convention 1973 was amended twice using protocols – by 1978 SOLAS protocol which entered into force in 1^st May 1981 and by 1988 SOLAS protocol which entered into force on 3^rd Feb 2000. Both the protocols are now known as SOLAS 74/78 and SOLAS 74/88.

Amendments

As mentioned above, amendments are major changes that are brought into action using protocols. Amendments are the reforms that are needed in a convention and are backed by the protocols.

For e.g. Because of several accidents at sea, there was an urgent need to change the MARPOL 1973 convention in 1970s. These changes or amendments were brought into action by the combined convention-protocol instrument called MARPOL 73/78 on 2^nd October 1983.

 Recommendations, codes, and guidelines

Recommendations are mainly guidelines which are not legally accepted. They are not formal documents like convention or protocol but are a list of recommended practices that are closely linked to conventions. For e.g. timber deck cargo code

Recommendations can also be guidelines which are waiting to be accepted by the IMO.

However, it is to note that though recommendations are not legally binding, some governments might apply them in whole or in part.

Codes and guidelines can be both mandatory and non mandatory. Codes such as ISM and IBC codes are mandatory and are a part of a parent convention or protocol.

Resolutions

Resolutions are the finalized documents which are accepted by the IMO or any of the main body under IMO. They generally result from an agreement on a recommendation or amendment.

Resolution passed by the assembly is denoted in a peculiar manner.

For e.g.  Resolution A. 586 (XIV)

Where, A = assembly; 586 = serial number of resolution; and XIV = Made by the 14^th session of the assembly

E.g. 2: MEPC. 54 (32)

Where, MEPC = Marine environment protection committee; 54 = serial number; 32 = 32^nd session of the committee

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Raunek Kantharia is a marine engineer turned maritime writer and entrepreneur. After a brief stint at the sea, he founded Marine Insight in 2010. Apart from managing Marine Insight, he also writes for a number of maritime magazines and websites.

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