The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has four key pillars in the global maritime industry, upholding safety, security, and the protection of the oceans. These four pillars are:

1. SOLAS 1974

Quoted from jurnalmaritim.com, SOLAS has become the marine safety standard that must be applied to merchant vessels of a certain size, and serves as the parent framework for the issuance of various standards (codes) regarding ship construction, equipment, and operation. The SOLAS 1974 format regulates maritime safety standards in three aspects: ship construction, equipment, and operation, which are distributed across 14 chapters, plus derivative codes. The contents of SOLAS 1974, Consolidated Edition 2014, are as follows:

Chapter I: General Provisions – contains survey regulations for various types of ships, and provisions for ship inspections by other states.

Chapter II-1: Construction – contains requirements for ship construction, watertight bulkheads, ship stability, machinery, and electrical systems.

Chapter II-2: Fire Protection, Fire Detection, and Fire Extinction – contains provisions on fire-resistant bulkheads, fire detection systems, and equipment, as well as the types and quantities of fire extinguishers for different ships. Details of this chapter can be found in the FP Code.

Chapter III: Life-Saving Appliances and Arrangements – contains regulations on life-saving appliances and their placement. From this chapter, the LSA Code was adopted.

Chapter IV: Radio Communications – contains provisions on the division of sea areas, the types and quantities of communication equipment required on ships, and their operation. Its derivative is the GMDSS.

Chapter V: Safety of Navigation – contains provisions on navigational equipment required on ships, including Radar, AIS, VDR, engines, and steering gear.

Chapter VI: Carriage of Cargoes – contains provisions on the preparation and handling of cargo spaces and cargoes, including lashing. Its derivative is the International Grain (IG) Code.

Chapter VII: Carriage of Dangerous Goods – contains provisions on the preparation and handling of dangerous goods carried on ships. The derivative of this chapter is the IMDG Code.

Chapter VIII: Nuclear Ships – contains requirements that must be fulfilled by ships using nuclear power, including radiation hazards.

Chapter IX: Management for the Safe Operation of Ships – contains provisions on the management of ship operations to ensure maritime safety. This chapter was introduced because advanced equipment alone cannot guarantee safety without proper operational management. From this chapter, the ISM Code was adopted.

Chapter X: Safety Measures for High-Speed Craft – contains provisions on the operation of high-speed craft. From this chapter, the HSC Code was adopted.

Chapter XI-1: Special Measures to Enhance Maritime Safety – contains provisions regarding Recognized Organizations (ROs), which are bodies appointed by governments to conduct ship surveys on behalf of the state, as well as ship identification numbers and Port State Control.

Chapter XI-2: Special Measures to Enhance Maritime Security – contains provisions on enhancing maritime security by ships, harbor masters, and port facility operators. From this chapter, the ISPS Code was adopted.

Chapter XII: Additional Safety Measures for Bulk Carriers – contains additional construction requirements for bulk carriers longer than 150 meters.

Chapter XIII: Verification of Compliance – contains provisions on the implementation of SOLAS 1974 in ratifying countries. This chapter was added to support the enforcement of the Triple I Code (IMO Instruments Implementation Code).

Chapter XIV: Safety Measures for Ships Operating in Polar Waters – contains requirements that must be fulfilled by ships navigating in polar waters and surrounding areas. Its derivative is the Polar Code.

2. MARPOL (Marine Pollution Prevention)

As explained on the IMO page, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the main international convention covering the prevention of marine environmental pollution by ships, whether due to operational causes or accidents. It is contained in 6 Annexes as follows:

• Annex I: Regulations for the Prevention of Oil Pollution.
• Annex II: Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk.
• Annex III: Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form.
• Annex IV: Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships.
• Annex V: Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships.

Annex VI: Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships.

3. STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping)

On June 25, 2010, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) together with other key stakeholders in the global shipping and crewing industry officially ratified what is called the “Manila Amendments” to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). The STCW Amendments entered into force on January 1, 2012.

The following outlines the key improvements introduced through the new Amendments:

1. Certificates of Competency and their endorsements may only be issued by Governments, thereby reducing the possibility of forged competency certificates.
2. Seafarers who have undergone a medical examination according to the general medical standards for seafarers of one country may serve on ships of another country without undergoing a repeated medical check.
3. The requirements for certificate revalidation have been rationalized for the benefit of seafarers.
4. Introduction of modern training methodologies such as distance learning and web-based learning.
5. Rest hours for seafarers on board ships have been aligned with the requirements of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, with the aim of reducing fatigue.
6. Introduction of additional requirements to prevent alcohol and drug abuse.
7. New competencies and curricula must continue to be updated in line with modern technological developments and real needs in the field.
8. Refresher training is properly addressed within the convention.

4. MLC (Maritime Labour Convention)

The MLC (2006) is a convention organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2006 in Geneva, Switzerland. The purpose of MLC 2006 is to ensure that the rights of seafarers around the world are protected and to provide guideline standards for every country and shipowner to provide a decent working environment for seafarers. This is necessary because seafarers work across countries, thus requiring an internationally applicable standard of working conditions.

There are five themes (clauses) covered in MLC 2006, which contain requirements designed to protect seafarers’ rights (Source: konsultaniso.web.id). The five clauses are:

1. Minimum Requirements for Seafarers Working on a Ship

• Minimum Age: The minimum age is 16 years, but for night work or hazardous areas, the minimum age is 18 years.
• Medical Condition: Seafarers must provide a recognized medical certificate (medical report) issued by the respective country.
• Training: Seafarers must receive job-related training before sailing and must also complete personal safety training.
• Recruitment & Placement: Recruitment must follow proper placement and registration procedures, include complaint mechanisms, and provide compensation if the recruitment process fails.

2. Conditions of Employment

• Employment Contract: Must be clear, legal, and binding.
• Wages: Seafarers must be paid at least once a month, and wages must be transferable to families if required.
• Hours of Rest: Rest hours must follow national regulations. A maximum of 14 hours of work per day or 72 hours per week, or a minimum of 10 hours of rest per day or 77 hours per week. Rest time cannot be divided into more than two periods, and one of these must be at least 6 consecutive hours.
• Leave: Seafarers have the right to annual leave and shore leave.
• Repatriation: Repatriation to their home country must be free of charge.
• Shipwreck/Loss: In case of shipwreck or loss, seafarers are entitled to severance pay.
• Career: Every ship must provide a clear career progression path for seafarers.

3. Accommodation, Recreational Facilities, Food, and Catering

• Accommodation: Living and working accommodations must ensure health and comfort. There are minimum requirements for sleeping quarters, recreation rooms, and dormitories.
• Food and Catering: The quality and quantity of food must comply with the flag state regulations. Ship cooks must have proper training.

4. Health Protection, Medical Care, Welfare, and Social Security Protection

• Medical Care Onboard & Ashore: Seafarers must have access to medical facilities onboard without cost, with healthcare standards equivalent to those ashore.
• Shipowner’s Obligation: Seafarers must be protected from financial consequences of illness, injury, or death related to their work. Wages must continue for at least 16 weeks after illness begins.
• Occupational Safety & Health Protection: A safe and hygienic working and resting environment must be provided. Risk assessments and hazard identification must be conducted to prevent accidents.
• Access to Shore Facilities: Port states must provide adequate cultural, recreational, and informational facilities, accessible to all seafarers regardless of race, gender, religion, or political views.
• Social Security: Social security protection must be provided for all seafarers.

5. Compliance and Enforcement

• Flag States: Responsible for enforcing MLC requirements on ships flying their flag. Every ship must carry a Certificate of Maritime Compliance. Ships must also have a complaints procedure and investigate all crew complaints.
• Port States: Must conduct inspections depending on whether a ship carries the Certificate of Maritime Compliance. If certified and from a ratifying country, inspections are limited to checking signs of non-compliance. If uncertified, a full inspection must be carried out to ensure compliance with MLC 2006. Therefore, MLC 2006 indirectly applies to non-ratifying countries if they wish to dock in ratifying states.
• Seafarer Recruitment Agencies: Agencies supplying crew to ships must also be inspected to ensure compliance with MLC 2006 and other relevant social security regulations.