The worldly concern ‘s oceans are one of our planet ’ s most valuable environmental resources. Seas cover around 70 % of the universe ’ mho surface, providing bleak materials, energy, food, employment, a identify to live, a identify to relax and the means to transport more than 80 % of global craft by volume. transportation is a key exploiter of the oceans, delivering essential goods and commodities, taking ferry passengers to their destinations and carrying millions of tourists on cruises.
As the United Nations agency creditworthy for developing and adopting measures to improve the condom and security of external transport and to prevent pollution from ships, and for the prevention of pollution by dumping of godforsaken at ocean, IMO has an integral role in meeting the targets set out in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal ( SDG ) 14 : conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. IMO ‘s knead is besides linked to many other SDGs besides, for model SDG 13 on climate action, since the oceans are impacted by increasing carbon dioxide ( CO2 ) and early greenhouse gas emissions ( GHG ) from human activities, but besides SDGs 6 and 9, aiming ata sustainable society, with infrastructure, transportation and waste management that can support societies now and into the future.
IMO has over many decades developed and adopted mandatary rules, adenine well as recommendations and guidelines, to protect the marine environment from any potential negative impingement of shipping activities. One of the samara conventions protecting the oceans is the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships ( MARPOL ). MARPOL was first adopted in 1973 with annexes covering the prevention of befoulment from ships by oil, by chemicals carried in bulk, by packaged goods, by sewage and drivel from ships. The convention was expanded in 1997 to regulate air out contamination and emissions from ships.
other IMO treaties cover oil befoulment readiness, reaction and co-operation, manipulate of harmful anti-fouling systems on ships, prevention of the potentially annihilative effects of the go around of invasive harmful aquatic organisms carried by ships ’ ballast water, and safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships, to name just a few. And just as the how the oceans are linked to coastal and on-land activities, IMO ‘s cultivate to protect our oceans goes beyond the ships, by regulating the prevention of pollution from dumping at wastes at sea, including climate change moderation options such as carbon capture and storehouse. This is done through two treaties known as the London Convention and Protocol.
IMO understands the motivation for special protective covering in some areas because of ecological, socio-economic or scientific meaning. special areas and particularly sensitive ocean areas ( PSSA ) are designated to ensure higher levels of protection from shipping activities.
recently, IMO has been enhancing its study on climate change extenuation and reduction of emissions from ships, which will contribute to reducing ocean acidification. IMO is besides working to reduce marine formative litter and to mitigate against encroaching aquatic species. IMO besides works to protect marine mammals from embark strikes and reduce submerged noise from ships. respective global partnership projects executed by IMO address a crop of ocean issues, including carry through on marine litter, decrease of GHG from shipping to address climate change ampere well as projects targeting the spread of potentially invasive aquatic species.
coordination and collaboration is winder in all ocean matters. IMO is the secretariat for the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection ( GESAMP ), which is an inter-agency mechanism providing autonomous scientific advice to its ten-spot sponsor UN organizations. IMO is besides playing an active function in other environmental cooperation mechanisms in the UN, such as UN-Oceans and the UN Environment Management Group ( UN EMG ).
Read more below.
Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas
IMO has a march to designate Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas ( PSSAs ), which are subject to consort protective measures such as mandatary ship-routeing systems. There are presently 15 areas ( plus two extensions ) protected in this way, including those covering UNESCO World Heritage Marine Sites, such as the Great Barrier Reef ( Australia ), the Galápagos Archipelago ( Ecuador ), the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument ( United States ), and the Wadden Sea ( Denmark, Germany, Netherlands ). This long-established practice of designating extra Areas and PSSAs fully supports the SDG 14 target to increase coverage of marine protected areas.
Click hera or on the persona below to read about Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas ( PSSAs ). 
Special Areas
MARPOL recognizes the want for more rigorous requirements to manage and protect alleged Special Areas, due to their ecology and their sea traffic. A full of 19 extra Areas have been adopted. They include enclosed or semi-enclosed seas, such as the Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea, Black Sea and Red Sea areas, and much larger ocean expanses such as the Southern South Africa waters and the western european waters. This recognition of extra areas, aboard global regulation, is a clear reading of a potent IMO awareness of – and total commitment to – the fundamental importance of protecting and preserving the universe ‘s seas and oceans as critical life support systems for all peoples. The Antarctic has enjoyed Special Area status since 1992. Oily discharges into the sea and drivel disposal overboard are wholly prohibited. In summation, a sum banish on the carriage or use of heavy fuel oils took effect on 1 August 2011, under a MARPOL Annex I regulation .
Marine Litter
Marine litter presents a huge problem in our oceans, with some scientists warning that, by 2050, the measure of plastics in the oceans will outweigh fish. But IMO and others have been taking carry through to address the problem, including regulating the release of garbage from ships and supporting research work. In 2018, IMO adopted an action design to address marine plastic litter from ships. This plan aims to enhance exist regulations and introduce fresh supporting measures to reduce marine plastic litter from ships. Click to watch the video on how IMO helps make certain the oceans are clean and tidy.
As part of the action plan, IMO will look into the handiness and adequacy of port reception facilities ; consider making tag of fishing gear compulsory, in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization ( FAO ) ; promote reporting the loss of fishing gear ; facilitate the delivery of retrieved fish gear to shore facilities ; review provisions related to the coach of fishing vessel personnel and familiarization of seafarers to ensure awareness of the impingement of marine credit card litter ; consider establishing a compulsory mechanism to declare loss of containers at sea and identify number of losses ; and look at ways to enhance populace awareness of the marine formative litter return .
GloLitter project
IMO and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ( FAO ) have launched the GloLitter stick out, with initial fund for the project from the Government of Norway, to help shipping and fisheries move to a low-plastics future. GloLitter will assist developing countries to identify opportunities to prevent and reduce marine fictile litter, including credit card litter, from within the nautical transport and fisheries sectors, and to decrease the use of plastics in these industries, including identifying opportunities to re-use and recycle plastics. Read more about IMO ’ s work on marine bedding material here .
Protecting the Arctic and Antarctic
pivotal waters benefit from special measures under the IMO Polar Code , which entered into military unit on 1 January 2017 for ships operating in both Antarctic and Arctic waters .
Prevention of pollution from ships
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, universally known as MARPOL, is the key treaty adopted by IMO to prevent and minimise befoulment from shipping. MARPOL addresses contamination by petroleum from ships ( covered in Annex I ) ; besides noxious liquid substances, such as chemicals, carried in bulk ( Annex II ) ; harmful substances carried in packaged mannequin ( Annex III ) ; sewage discharges into the sea ( Annex IV ) ; and the disposal at sea of ship-generated garbage ( Annex V ). Annex VI deals with atmospheric befoulment from ships. In 2011, IMO became the first gear international regulator for a transmit sector to adopt globally-binding energy-efficiency requirements, which apply to all ships globally, careless of deal blueprint or flag State, aimed at reducing greenhouse natural gas emissions from international shipping. other treaties address anti-fouling systems used on ships, the transfer of foreigner species by ships ’ ballast water and the environmentally sound recycling of ships.
50 years together – over the past five decades, IMO, governments and diligence have worked together to achieve a dramatic and free burning reduction in major petroleum spills from ships ; and have established effective systems for readiness and answer if there is an incident and created a comprehensive mechanism for providing recompense to those affected. Click to view the timeline and panels from an exhibition at IMO Headquarters. 
Protecting marine biodiversity
IMO ’ s work to support nautical biodiversity includes measures to prevent the spread of potentially incursive aquatic organisms. Click for information on ballast water management ( BWM ) and biofouling .
GloFouling partnerships project
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IMO is executing the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partne mho project to address the transfer of harmful aquatic species through biofouling in some of the developing regions of the global. Watch the video recording here and find out more about biofouling and the GloFouling Partnerships plan.
Read more: How Maritime Law Works The visualize is driving actions to implement the IMO Guidelines for the command and management of ships ‘ biofoulin thousand GloBallast Programme . |
Developing a new global oceans treaty
IMO participates in the Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally binding instrumental role under the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national legal power. Read more : www.un.org/bbn j/
Protecting marine mammals
IMO ’ s work on ship condom and prevention of befoulment supports the protection of marine mammals.
IMO has adopted assorted embark routeing measures to protect whales and other cetaceans from transport strikes during breeding seasons, a well as guidance on how to minimize the gamble for ship strike. Click to read the article : rout for Whales.
Underwater noise
A significant assign of the subaqueous randomness generated by homo activity may be related to commercial shipping. The international community recognizes that underwater-radiated make noise from commercial ships may have both short and long-run negative consequences on marine life, specially marine mammals.
IMO has issued guidance on reducing subaqueous noise from commercial ship, to address adverse impacts on marine life .
Climate change mitigation
Increased carbon paper dioxide in the standard atmosphere can lead to ocean acidification. In 2011, IMO became the first international governor for a transport sector to adopt globally-binding energy-efficiency requirements, which apply to all ships globally, careless of trade pattern or flag State, aimed at reducing greenhouse boast emissions from external ship. The compulsory energy-efficiency measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from international transportation, under Annex VI of IMO ‘s contamination prevention treaty ( MARPOL ), came into force in 2013 and have been subsequently strengthened .
IMO’s GHG reduction strategy
In 2018, IMO Member States adopted an initial IMO strategy on decrease of GHG emissions from ships, setting out a vision which confirms a commitment to cutting GHG emissions from international ship and to phasing them out american samoa soon as possible. There ’ randomness a specific linkage to the Paris Agreement, and well-defined levels of ambition – including at least a 50 per cent cut in emissions from the sector by 2050, compared to 2008.. To achieve the specified targets, ships presently at sea would have to reduce their emissions by more than 80 %. The agree reduction targets signify a tangible trajectory towards the decarbonisation of shipping. therefore, low or zero-emission ships should be built well before 2050, hopefully by 2030. Read more on IMO ‘s GHG strategy . IMO is engaging in global capacity-building projects to support the implementation of those regulations and encourage invention and technology transplant. The Global MTTC Network ( GMN ) inaugural which unites technology centres – Maritime Technologies Cooperation Centres ( MTCCs ) – in target regions into a ball-shaped network. together, they are promoting technologies and operations to improve department of energy efficiency in the maritime sector and help navigate ship into a low-carbon future. The GreenVoyage2050 Project is a partnership project between the Government of Norway and IMO aiming to transform the ship industry towards a lower carbon paper future. The global partnership is supporting developing countries, including SIDS and LDCs, in meeting their commitment towards relevant climate change and energy efficiency goals, for international ship, through supporting the IMO Initial GHG Strategy.
Ships are invited to particiapte in the World Metereological Organization ( WMO ) Voluntary Observing Ships Scheme, to provide ship-based marine meteorologic and oceanographic observations. Ships ‘ meteorologic observations are not only recognized as being substantive for the provision of safety-related services for ships at sea, but besides for ships ‘ route, search and rescue, nautical contamination prevention and climate change studies ( i.e. quantifying extreme weather events that can affect the nautical industry ). additionally it has to be noted that sometimes ship-based meteorologic and oceanographic reports are the entirely data available from data-sparse areas such as the diametric regions.
Dumping of wastes at sea, carbon capture, geoengineering
While MARPOL specifically targets accidental and functional discharges from ship operations, IMO besides actively addresses marine befoulment from land-based sources, albeit indirectly, through the London Dumping Convention and Protocol on the plunge of wastes and other topic at sea. The London Protocol, adopted in 1996, adopts a precautionary approach, prohibiting the drop of wastes at sea except for a few on a permit list, such as dredge fabric.
The London Convention/Protocol government besides contributes to climate exchange extenuation by regulating for carbon capture and segregation in subsea geological formations and providing regulations and guidance on how to assess proposals for ocean fertilization and other marine geoengineering activities that have the Read more on actions under the London Convention and Protocol to address marine litter and other emerging issues hera.
Click on the image to read more about climate change moderation technologies.
Partnerships for the oceans
cooperation and collaboration for sustainable oceans and all ocean matters is essential.
IMO is the secretariat for the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection ( GESAMP ), which is an inter-agency mechanism providing autonomous scientific advice to its ten-spot sponsor UN organizations. IMO is besides playing an active role in early environmental cooperation mechanisms in the UN, such as UN-Oceans, the UN Environment Management Group ( UN EMG ), the Global Compact. IMO besides works with other UN entities such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ( FAO ), including on fisheries related matters ; the International Seabed Authority ( ISA ) ; the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO ( IOC-UNESCO ) ; the United Nations Environment Programme ( UNEP ) and the United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP ) ( see below ).
The Glo-X partnership projects
IMO, the United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP ) and the Global Environment Facility ( GEF ) have pioneered the “ Glo-X model ” of program purpose and execution for nautical environmental and energy efficiency projects. These ball-shaped partnership programmes have resulted in legal, policy and institutional reforms in over 70 countries, including SIDS and LDCs. They are supporting technology market transformations which, in the case of ballast water treatment, resulted in creation of a new marketplace valued at over US $ 50 billion. GEF – UNDP-IMO projects include :
- the Global Biofouling Project (GloFouling).
- the Global Ballast Water Management Project (GloBallast) (completed)
- the Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnerships Project (GloMEEP) (completed)
Other projects
- Global Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre Network (GMN) Project
- GreenVoyage205 0 Project – a partnership project between the Government of Norway and IMO aiming to transform the shipping industry towards a lower carbon future.
- GloLitter project (IMO and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)), with initial funding for the project from the Government of Norway.
- Marine environment projects funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)
- IMO-IPIECA Global Initiative – IMO and IPIECA, the global oil and gas industry association for environmental and social issues are working together to develop global oil spill preparedness and response capacity, under the
Global Initiative (GI).
Read more : Partnerships and Projects.
IMO and UNCLOS
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea was adopted in 1982. It lays down a comprehensive examination government of law and order in the populace ‘s oceans and seas establishing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources. It embodies in one instrument traditional rules for the uses of the oceans and at the same clock introduces new legal concepts and regimes and addresses new concerns. The Convention besides provides the framework for promote development of specific areas of the jurisprudence of the sea. Read more about IMO and UNCLOS and download Implications of UNCLOS for IMO. IMO participates in the Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally binding instrumental role under the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diverseness of areas beyond national legal power
Read more: Maritime search and rescue – Documentary
Read more : www.un.org/bbnj/
Maritime safety and security for sustainable use of the oceans
IMO regulations for the base hit of ship and for nautical security help support the sustainable use of the oceans .
- Read more about IMO’s maritime safety regulations
here. - Read more about IMO’s work on maritime security
here.
Read more
- Report: Ocean Stewardship 2030 – a roadmap for how ocean-related industries and policymakers jointly can secure a healthy and productive ocean by 2030. According to the report, transparency, cooperation and good standards will enable more sustainable food production, transport and energy production while dramatically improving ocean health. (United Nations Global Compact, June 2020)
- Report: “The SDGs – Exploring Maritime Opportunities” (Norwegian Shipowners Association, 2017).
- Publication: “The GloBallast Story” (IMO, 2017)
- Article: The Role of the International Maritime Organization in Preventing the Pollution of the World’s Oceans from Ships and Shipping (UN Chronicle, 2017)