Shipping regulation.
Merchant shipping is one of the most heavily regulated industries and was amongst the first
to adopt widely implemented international safety standards.
Global regulation for a
global industry.
Regulations concerning shipping are best developed at the global level. Because shipping is inherently international, it is vital that shipping is subject to uniform regulations on matters such as construction standards, navigational rules and standards of crew competence. The alternative would be a range of conflicting national regulations resulting in commercial distortion and administrative confusion.
The shipping industry is principally regulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the London based United Nations agency responsible for the safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine environment. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is also responsible for the development of labour standards applicable to seafarers worldwide.
World Shipping Council has consultative status at the IMO
World Shipping Council has held consultative status at the International Maritime Organization since 2009. This enables WSC to bring the operational and technical expertise of the container shipping and vehicle carrier industry directly into the development of global maritime rules. We work constructively with governments and industry partners at the IMO to advance safer, more secure and more sustainable international shipping.