IMO publishes book to mark 75 years
The International Maritime organisation is marking 75 years since the adoption of the IMO Convention by publishing a book on safer shipping and cleaner seas.
The IMO convention was the first time a global body had been created to promote these ideas, and its recommendations have become legally binding among member states that sign up.
“Safer shipping, cleaner seas – A celebration of 75 years of IMO” was launched at a farewell event for the outgoing IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim, who had the idea to publish the book. He has served two terms as secretary-general.
The book chronicles the history of the IMO in four parts – setting the scene for its establishment; outlining its structure; how its work developed through the second half of the 20th century; and the challenges facing the organisation in the 21st.
It lists the major IMO Conventions, features photographs showing key figures in its history, and moments such as the visit to IMO Headquarters in 2018 of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Lim has written a foreword to the book in which he acknowledges the work of those who have, over the course of IMO’s existence, “steered and operated the ship”.
“It truly is a voyage together – a journey that will continue towards future safe and clean shipping across all the seas,” he says.
The book also includes a message from António Guterres, the United Nations secretary-general, in which he hails IMO’s role in ensuring that shipping benefits people and the planet alike.
“Safer shipping, cleaner seas – A celebration of 75 years of IMO” has been compiled by maritime journalist John Barnes, with its content overseen and finalized by an IMO Secretariat Steering Committee.
It’s not a cheap read – the book can be bought IMO Headquarters, for £70 – but all profits go to the IMO Technical Cooperation Fund.
