IMO Matters
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialised agency of the United Nations, develops and maintains a comprehensive regulatory framework for international shipping. This covers safety and security, marine pollution, legal matters, technical co-operation and maritime traffic rules.
Singapore is one of the 170 Member states of the IMO.
The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC)
The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) deals with all matters related to maritime safety and maritime security which fall within the scope of IMO, covering both passenger ships and all kinds of cargo ships. This includes updating the SOLAS convention and related codes, such as those covering dangerous goods, life-saving appliances and fire safety systems. The MSC also deals with human element issues, including amendments to the STCW Convention on training and certification of seafarers. The MSC has a wide range of issues on its current agenda, including goal-based standards, autonomous vessels, piracy and armed robbery against ships, cyber security, e-navigation and the modernization of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC)
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) addresses environmental issues under IMO's remit. This includes the control and prevention of ship-source pollution covered by the MARPOL treaty, including oil, chemicals carried in bulk, sewage, garbage and emissions from ships, including air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. Other matters covered include ballast water management, anti-fouling systems, ship recycling, pollution preparedness and response, and identification of special areas and particularly sensitive sea areas.
The Sub-Committees
The MSC and MEPC are assisted in their work by seven technical sub-committees. These are:
- Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW);
- Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III);
- Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR);
- Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR);
- Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC);
- Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE); and
- Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC)
Reports of the IMO meetings are available for download below.
Session | Date | Download Reports |
---|---|---|
MSC 108 | 15 - 24 May 2024 | |
MSC 107 | 31 - 9 June 2023 | |
MSC 106 | 2 - 11 Nov 2022 | |
MSC 105 | 20 - 29 Apr 2022 | |
MSC 104 | 4 - 8 Oct 2021 | |
MSC 103 | 5 - 14 May 2021 | |
MSC 102 | 13 - 22 May 2020 | |
MSC 101 | 5 - 14 Jun 2019 | |
MSC 100 | 3 - 7 Dec 2018 | |
MSC 91 | 26 - 30 Nov 2012 | |
MSC 90 | 16 - 25 May 2012 | |
MSC 89 | 11 - 20 May 2011 | |
MSC 88 | 24 Nov - 3 Dec 2010 | |
STCW Manila Conference | 21 - 25 June 2010 | |
MSC 87 | 12 - 21 May 2010 | |
MSC 86 | 27 May - 5 Jun 2009 | |
MSC 85 | 27 Nov - 5 Dec 2008 | |
MSC 84 | 7-16 May 2008 | |
MSC 83 | 3-12 Oct 2007 | MSC 83 Report |
MSC 82 | 29 Nov - 8 Dec 2006 | |
MSC 81 | 10-19 May 2006 | |
Session | Date | Download Report |
---|---|---|
MEPC 81 | 18 - 22 Mar 2024 | |
MEPC 80 | 03 – 07 Jul 2023 | |
MEPC 79 | 12 - 16 Dec 2022 | |
MEPC 78 | 6 - 10 Jun 2022 | |
MEPC 77 | 22 - 26 Nov 2021 | |
MEPC 76 | 10 - 17 Jun 2021 | |
MEPC 75 | 30 Mar - 3 Apr 2020 | |
MEPC 74 | 13 - 17 May 2019 | |
MEPC 73 | 22 - 26 Oct 2018 | |
MEPC 72 | 9 - 13 Apr 2018 | |
MEPC 71 | 3 - 7 Jul 2017 | |
MEPC 70 | 24 - 28 Oct 2016 | |
MEPC 69 | 18 - 22 Apr 2016 | |
MEPC 68 | 11 - 15 May 2015 | |
MEPC 67 | 13 - 17 Oct 2014 | MEPC 67 Report |
MEPC 66 | 31 Mar - 4 Apr 2014 | |
MEPC 65 | 13 - 17 May 2013 | |
MEPC 64 | 1 - 5 Oct 2012 | |
MEPC 63 | 27 Feb - 2 Mar 2012 | |
MEPC 62 | 11 - 15 Jul 2011 | |
MEPC 61 | 27 Sep- 1 Oct 2010 | MEPC 61 Report |
MEPC 60 | 22-26 Mar 2010 | MEPC 60 Report |
MEPC 59 | 13-17 Jul 2009 | |
MEPC 58 | 6-10 Oct 2008 | MEPC 58 Report |
MEPC 57 | 31 Mar - 4 Apr 2008 | |
MEPC 56 | 9-13 Jul 2007 | |
MEPC 55 | 9-13 Oct 2006 | |
MEPC 54 | 20-24 Mar 2006 | MEPC 54 Report |