The Maritime Safety Committee, established under the IMO Convention, is the highest IMO technical

body. Much of its work is carried out through subsidiary bodies. Subjects dealt with include maritime
security, flag state implementation, navigation safety, radio communications, life-saving appliances and
arrangements, search and rescue, ship design and equipment, fire protection, standards of training and
watch keeping, containers and cargoes, and the carriage of dangerous goods.

The Marine Environment Protection Committee was set up in 1973 to coordinate and administer IMO
activities for the prevention and control of marine pollution from ships. All members of the IMO are entitled
to take part, as are representatives of non-IMO states that are parties to treaties linked to Committee
work. The Committee was institutionalised in 1982. The Maritime Safety Committee and the Marine
Environment Protection Committee are assisted by nine sub-committees, which are open to all Member
States.

The Legal Committee was setup in 1967 to consider any legal matters within the IMO's scope and submit
to the Council its drafts of international conventions and other international treaty instruments. It was
institutionalised in 1982. Subjects dealt with include liability and compensation regimes for damage
caused at sea by hazardous and noxious substances, wreck removal and seafarer claims.

The Technical Cooperation Committee was set up in 1969 to establish directives and guidelines for the
IMO's programme of assistance to developing countries in maritime transport (particularly shipping and
ports), to monitor the programme's progressive development and review the results. It was
institutionalised in 1984.

The Facilitation Committee, established in 1972, is responsible for facilitating international maritime traffic
through reducing the formalities and simplifying documentation required of ships when entering or leaving
ports or other terminals. It became formally institutionalised on 7 December 2008, with the entry into force
of the 1991 amendments to the IMO Convention. The IMO also acts as a secretariat in respect of the
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, adopted in
London in 1972, which regulates the disposal into the sea of waste materials generated on
land. Consultative meetings are normally held once a year. A Protocol amending the Convention was
adopted in 1996 and entered into force on 24 March 2006. Thirty-seven states have now acceded to the
Protocol, which is expected ultimately to replace the Convention.