The maritime, port and shipping sector operates on an international scale. As such the sector operates effectively as industry standards, regulations and legislation are agreed, adopted and implemented on an international basis.
The international nature of shipping means that most legislative measures originate at international or EU level. The International Maritime Organisation, as the specialized agency of the United Nations, is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented. The most recent international conventions that have come into legislation include the following:
SOLAS International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
STCW International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
COLREG Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport 2015