Glossary IMO (International Maritime Organization)

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is an agency affiliated with the United Nations and it was created to globally unify ship routes, traffic regulations, port facilities, etc. The IMO’s headquarter is located in London. It was established in 1958 by the UN Maritime under the name of IMCO (Inter- Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization) and was changed to its current name in 1982. The purpose of the IMO is to facilitate intergovernmental cooperation on all technical matters affecting shipping engaged in international voyages and to adopt the most practical standards for maritime safety, navigational efficiency, and marine pollution prevention and control. Under Article 2.2 of the Kyoto Protocol, industrialized countries must follow the standards of the IMO regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions produced from international voyages.