Founded by an international convention in 1948, the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) is a permanent international body devoted to
improving safety at sea. The purposes of IMO are "to provide machinery
for cooperation among Governments in the field of governmental
regulation and practices relating to technical matters of all kinds
affecting shipping engaged in international trade; to encourage and
facilitate the general adoption of the highest practicable standards in
matters concerning maritime safety, efficiency of navigation and
prevention and control of marine pollution from ships". The Organization
is also empowered to deal with administrative and legal matters related
to these purposes.
Safety on the seas remains IMO's most important responsibility, but pollution prevention has also been a growing area of IMO work. The
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships,
1973, modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78),
covers not only accidental and operational oil pollution but also
pollution by chemicals, goods in packaged form, sewage, garbage and air
pollution.
For more information about IMO and its activities, please visit the IMO Web Site.
National Institute of Oilseed Products
750 National Press Building
529 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20045
Phone: 202 591-2461; Fax: 202 223-9741
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Founded by an international convention in 1948, the 
Safety on the seas remains IMO's most important responsibility, but pollution prevention has also been a growing area of IMO work. The
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships,
1973, modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78),
covers not only accidental and operational oil pollution but also
pollution by chemicals, goods in packaged form, sewage, garbage and air
pollution.