Value proposition

IMO - promoting safe, secure, and efficient shipping on clean oceans.

IMO is the United Nations'​ specialized agency responsible for safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. With 176 Member States and three Associate Members, IMO is based in London with around 300 international staff.

As a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented. IMO's work supports the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.


Maritime safety, Maritime Security, Marine Environment, Human Element, Sustainable Development Goals, Gender Equality, Seafarers and training, Shipping Regulations, GHG, Fishing vessel safety, Autonomous shipping, Unsafe mixed migration by sea, Marine Litter, Free flow of trade by ship, Oceans, Passenger ship safety, and Safe transport of containers