Photo credit: UN Photo/Mark Garten.

International Maritime Organization

Abbreviation

IMO

Summary

An autonomous organization linked to the United Nations through special agreements, the International Maritime Organization aims, among other things, to develop and maintain a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping. Legal measures adopted as part of the IMO regulatory regime support states’ anti-terrorism agendas. For example, the IMO convenes diplomatic conferences that approve amendments to relevant conventions in order to provide a legal basis for arrests, detention, extradition, and punishment in cases relating to acts of terrorism committed against ships as well as the use of ships in acts of terrorism.

Website

http://www.imo.org/Pages/home.aspx

Additional Information

Adam Corbett London, “IMO Seeking Sharper Teeth in Fight Against Terror,” Trade Winds, October 13, 2005.