The International Maritime Organization
Liberia is a founding member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and was one of the 21 Member States that participated in the first IMO meeting in 1959. The meeting entered into force a 1948 United Nations’ convention establishing the IMO as the first international body devoted exclusively to maritime matters. The Organization was formed to improve safety in maritime operations and help prevent marine pollution since individual countries were operating unilaterally and not coordinating amongst themselves.
Today the IMO has 168 Member States and three Associate Members representing a wide range of shipping interests throughout the world. Liberia currently has the world’s second largest ship registry in terms of tonnage; therefore, it is the second largest contributor to the IMO budget.
The IMO is governed by the Assembly, which meets once every two years. Between sessions, a 32-member elected Council acts as the IMO’s governing body. The IMO Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General, who is assisted by a staff of approximately 300 international civil servants.
The IMO is a technical organization and most of its work is carried out through a number of committees; with the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) being the most senior. Other committees include the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), the Legal Committee, and the Facilitation Committee. There is also the Technical Co-operation Committee, which coordinates the work of the Organization in the provision of technical assistance in the maritime field, in particular to developing countries.
There are also the sub-committees on Safety of Navigation (NAV); Radio communications and Search and Rescue (COMSAR); Training and Watch keeping (STW) Carriage of Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers (DSC); Ship Design and Equipment (DE); Fire Protection (FP); Stability and Load Lines and Fishing Vessels Safety (SLF); Flag State Implementation (FSI); and Bulk Liquids and Gases (BLG).
All IMO committees are open to participation by all Member Governments on an equal basis. The Liberian Permanent Mission to the IMO in London monitors and actively participates in the various IMO committee and sub-committee meetings and activities while promoting the maritime image and good will of the Republic of Liberia.
For further information about the IMO, please visit their website at www.imo.org