The International Maritime Organization –IMO- is a specialized agency of the United Nations to promote cooperation between states and the transport industry, to improve maritime security and prevent marine contamination.
Recent initiatives of IMO include changes to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78). Its headquarters are in London, United Kingdom.
Every agreement has a specific field of application, but in general terms it can be said that its main role is to control ships engaged in international traffic, although it is not applicable in all cases.
