International Conventions

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has developed and oversees numerous international conventions and treaties related to various aspects of maritime affairs. Two of the most prominent and essential international conventions under the IMO are:

1. SOLAS – International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea:

SOLAS is one of the most critical international conventions for maritime safety. It was first adopted in 1914 in response to the sinking of the RMS Titanic and has been revised several times.

SOLAS sets out comprehensive requirements for the design, construction, equipment, operation, and safety management of ships. It covers a wide range of safety-related aspects, including ship design and stability, fire safety, life-saving appliances, navigation equipment, and emergency procedures.

The primary objective of SOLAS is to ensure the safety of human lives at sea and prevent accidents, collisions, and other maritime disasters.

SOLAS also includes requirements related to the prevention of marine pollution from ships, particularly through its annexes addressing pollution from oil, noxious liquid substances, sewage, and garbage.

2. MARPOL – International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships:

MARPOL is a comprehensive international convention aimed at preventing and minimizing marine pollution from ships.

It was first adopted in 1973 and has undergone several amendments and annexes since then to address various types of pollution and environmental concerns.

MARPOL covers several aspects of pollution prevention, including regulations related to oil pollution, noxious liquid substances, harmful substances in packaged form, sewage, garbage disposal, and emissions from ship exhausts.

The convention also includes regulations for the design and operation of ships to reduce their environmental impact, such as the International Energy Efficiency Certificate (IEEC) to promote energy-efficient ship design and operation.

MARPOL annexes provide specific guidelines for the implementation and enforcement of pollution prevention measures.

Both SOLAS and MARPOL are crucial international conventions under the IMO that promote safety at sea and the protection of the marine environment. They set stringent standards and requirements for ships and ship operators to ensure maritime safety and minimize the impact of shipping activities on the world’s oceans.