This convention is administered by the International Maritime Organization
(IMO), and requires the contracting parties to impose a variety of controls
on pollution from ships. Adopted in London on 2 November 1973, it entered
into force in 1983.
The Convention's aim is to "to preserve the marine environment by achieving
the complete elimination of international pollution by oil and other harmful
substances and the minimization of accidental discharge of such
substances."
The Convention has five annexes covering oil, noxious liquids in bulk, harmful
substances in packaged form, sewage and garbage.
The Convention itself is a vehicle for enforcement and administration of
the detailed provisions in its attached annexes. It was amended by a 1978
Protocol.
Read a UNEP summary
of the Convention from ENTRI.
Read about other IMO Conventions on the IMO
website.
