Quality in shipping: IMO’s role and problems of implementation

The focus of this paper is on the role of the United Nation’s Agency for the maritime affairs, i.e. the International Maritime Organisation, in the setting of quality and safety standards in shipping and the difficulties in establishing and implementing them. Being the only international rule‐maker, the sole setter of maritime safety standards that apply universally, the IMO exhibits increased interest with respect to its approach to safety and the promotion of quality in the shipping sector. The present paper examines the steps taken in the 1990s by the IMO for enhanced quality and safety standards and undertakes a critical review of the most important hindrances in their establishment and implementation. The investigation reveals the various safety issues that have been treated by IMO as high agenda items in recent years as well as a number of limitations for the IMO and problems with regard to the implementation process.