Hot Topics

Unsafe mixed migration by sea

IMO’s contribution to the international community’s efforts to tackle unsafe, mixed migration by sea, which is placing hundreds of thousands of lives in danger every year.

IMO and the oceans

As the United Nations agency responsible for developing and adopting measures to improve the safety and security of international shipping and to prevent pollution from ships, 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.

HNS Convention

The HNS Convention is the last piece in the puzzle needed to ensure that those who have suffered damage from the transport of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) by sea have access to a comprehensive and international liability and compensation regime.

Maritime Security and Safety in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov

Information about the evolving maritime security and security situation in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov region. The situation is impacting local populations, shipping, seafarers and global trade.

2012 Cape Town Agreement to enhance fishing safety

Fishing is one of the most dangerous professions in the world, with thousands of fishers estimated to lose their lives every year when working to supply the world's growing appetite for fish and fish products. IMO is raising awareness of the 2012 Cape Town Agreement (CTA) to help bring it into force. In 2019, more than 50 States committed to ratify the 2012 Cape Town Agreement by 11 October 2022.

Seafarer Crisis Action Team: case studies

The COVID-19 pandemic put seafarers around the world in precarious situations. At the height of the pandemic some 400,000 seafarers were stranded on ships beyond the end of their original contracts and unable to be repatriated, due to COVID-related travel restrictions. A similar number of seafarers were stuck at home, unable to join ships and provide for their families. Issues of repatriation and medical assistance continued.

Crew change crisis

COVID-related travel restrictions have created significant hurdles to crew changes and repatriation of seafarers, which has led to a growing humanitarian crisis as well as significant concerns for the safety of seafarers and shipping.

Facilitation (FAL) – enhancing the free flow of trade by ship