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Introduction

The sea, encompassing around 70% of the Earth’s surface, is an essential component of the cosmos, rich in biodiversity and a crucial facilitator of global trade and commerce. In this context, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), 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 major focus on prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.

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Role of IMO in Protecting the Environment

• MARPOL Convention: This convention led by the IMO outlines the necessity to curb various types of pollution, including oil spills and air pollution, thereby helping to maintain the marine ecology and protecting sea life from harmful pollutants.
• Ballast Water Management: The IMO instituted the Ballast Water Management Convention to govern the control and management of ballast water in ships, aiming to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species which can cause havoc in new environments.
• Antifouling Systems: The IMO enforces the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships to mitigate the negative environmental effects arising from the use of harmful anti-fouling paints, protecting marine life from toxic exposures.
• Recycling of Ships: The Hong Kong International Convention led by the IMO sets standards for ship recycling, aiming to ensure that ships, when being recycled at the end of their operational lives, do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health, safety, and the environment.
• Oil Pollution Preparedness: Through the Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) Convention, the IMO works to build a global system for identifying and responding to oil pollution incidents, thus helping to mitigate the adverse effects of oil spills.

Role of IMO in Enhancing Maritime Safety and Security

• SOLAS Convention: Through the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), it dictates the minimum safety standards in the construction, equipment, and operation of merchant ships, thereby ensuring the protection of life and property at sea.
• Piracy and Armed Robbery: The IMO has been proactive in countering piracy and armed robbery against ships through various resolutions and action plans, working alongside governments and international organizations.
• Maritime Security: IMO enhances maritime security through the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which prescribes responsibilities to governments, shipping companies, shipboard personnel, and port facility personnel to detect threats and take preventive measures.
• Seafarer’s Rights: IMO safeguards seafarer’s rights through the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), which sets out seafarers’ rights to decent conditions of work on a wide range of subjects and aims to be globally applicable, readily updatable, and uniformly implemented.
• Marine Casualty Investigation: IMO encourages transparent and impartial marine casualty investigations. The objective is to prevent future marine accidents by learning from the mishaps and not to attribute liability and blame.
• Legal Framework: Developing a comprehensive legal framework that ensures compensation for damages resulting from oil spills is another pivotal role of IMO. The International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC) has been crucial in this endeavour.
• Safety Management: IMO furthers safety management through the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, which provides an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention.

Conclusion

The sea, an indispensable component of the cosmos, continues to be a focal point of global economic activities and environmental sustainability. The IMO, by further fortifying its strategies with proactive measures and global cooperation can pave the way for a safer, secure, and environmentally sound maritime future, harmonizing the critical relationship between the sea and the cosmos.

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