The International Maritime Organization was established in 1948 at an international conference in Geneva, although it was originally named the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization. This name was changed to IMO in 1982. The International Maritime Organization is charged with the safety and security of shipping along with the prevention of marine pollution.

There are one hundred and seventy United Nations members of the International Maritime Organization. The IMO is divided into a number of departments including Maritime Safety, which is responsible for:

Ship design and equipment
Cargoes
Safety of Navigation
Standards of Training and Watchkeeping
Flag State Implementation
Fire Protection
Radiocommunications
Stability and Load Lines and on Fishing Vessels

Other departments within the IMO are the Maritime Security Committee, which is responsible for security in international shipping, the Marine Environment Protection Committee and the Legal Committee which is responsible for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. In addition the Technical Cooperation Committee and the Facilitation Committee are charged with capacity building and the simplification of formalities and documentation within international shipping.

The International Maritime Organization has offices in Embankment, London, United Kingdom.