CATEGORIES OF CIRCULAR ISSUED BY IMO
The text of any individual circular is available on application to:
Strategic Liaison, AMSA, GPO Box 2181, Canberra, ACT 2601
click here to link directly to IMO circular acronyms
| a-circlet | Circular Letters |
| a-nv | Note Verbales |
| AFS | International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships - status |
| AFS.3 | International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships - related communications |
| BC | Sub-Committee on Carriage of Bulk Cargoes - Code of safe practice for solid bulk cargoes - contact points |
| BCH | Sub-Committee on Bulk Chemicals - Hazard evaluations and profiles of substances transported by ships - status of BCH Codes - tripartite contact points |
| BLG | Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases |
| BUNKERS | International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 - status |
| BWM | International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 - status |
| BWM.2 | International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 - Technical aspects of ballast water management |
| CC | Sub-Committee on Containers and Cargoes |
| CDG | Sub-Committee on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods - International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (CDG), its Annexes and Supplements (EmS, MFAG, Dangerous Goods in Port Areas) - Emergency Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods (EmS) - Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods (MFAG) - Recommendations on the Safe Transport, Handling and Storage of Dangerous Substances in Port Areas - status and related communications |
| CLC | International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969 - status |
| CLC.2 | Protocol of 1976 to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969 - status |
| CLC.3 | Protocol of 1984 to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969 - status |
| CLC.4 | International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969 - denunciation |
| CLC.5 | Protocol of 1976 to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969 - denunciation |
| CLC.6 | Protocol of 1992 to amend the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969 - status |
| COLREG | Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 as amended - status |
| COLREG.2 | Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 - new and amended Traffic Separation Schemes |
| COLREG.3 | Matters related to the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 as amended - related communications |
| COM | Sub-Committee on Radiocommunications - general - air/sea coordination - COSPAS-SARSAT - EPIRBs - exemptions - GMDSS - Great Lakes Radio Agreement - International Code and other Signals - NAVTEX -WARC - WWNWS |
| COMSAR | Sub-Committee on Radiocommunication and Search and Rescue |
| COS-SAR | International Satellite Search and Rescue System - International COSPAS-SARSAT Programme Agreement - entry into force of Agreement - Notification of Associations - series discontinued |
| CSC | International Convention for Safety Containers (CSC), 1972 as amended - status and related communications, contact points, harmonized interpretations |
| CSC.2 | 1993 amendments to the International Convention for Safety Containers (CSC), 1972 as amended - status |
| CSI | International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties, 1969 - status and related communications |
| DE | Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment - Code for the construction and equipment of ships carrying dangerous chemicals in bulk - related communications |
| DSC | Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers - related communications |
| FAL | Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, 1965, as amended - status and related communications |
| FAL.2 | Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, 1965 - standardized forms, shipping documentation, Notification of "Differences", Harmonized Interpretations |
| FAL.3 | 1977 amendments to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, 1965 - Acceptances and Notifications of "Differences", replaced by amendments to the Convention on Facilitation on International Maritime Traffic (FAL) |
| FAL.4 | 1973 amendments to Article VII of the Convention on Facilitation on International Maritime Traffic, 1965 - acceptances and related communications - series discontinued |
| FAL.5 | Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, (FAL), 1965 - contact points and related communications |
| FAL.6 | Ship/port interface and related communications |
| FP | Sub-Committee on Fire Protection |
| FSI | Flag State Implementation - List of non-governmental organizations authorized to carry out surveys and issue certificates on behalf of Administrations |
| FSI.2 | Flag State Implementation - Port State Control |
| FSI.3 | Casualty statistics and investigations - Very serious casualties for the year 1998 |
| FSI.4 | Casualties of fishing vessels and fishermen |
| GMDSS | Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems - shorebased facilities (GMDSS Master Plan) |
| HNS | International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996 - status |
| IFC | International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution, 1971 - status and related communications |
| IFC.2 | Protocol of 1976 to the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution, 1971 - status and related communications |
| IFC.3 | Protocol of 1984 to the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution, 1971 - status and related communications |
| IFC.4 | Protocol of 1992 to the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution, 1971 - status and related communications |
| IFC.5 | International Convention on the establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1971 - denunciations |
| IFC.6 | International Convention on the establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1971 - denunciations |
| IFC.7 | Protocol of 2003 to the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1992 - status |
| IMO | 1974 amendments to the IMO Convention - status and related communications - series discontinued |
| IMO.2 | 1975 amendments to the IMO Convention - status and related communications - series discontinued |
| IMO.3 | 1977 amendments to the IMO Convention - status and related communications - series discontinued |
| IMO.4 | 1979 amendments to the IMO Convention - status and related communications - series discontinued |
| IMO.5 | 1991 amendments to the IMO Convention - status and related communications |
| IMO.6 | 1993 amendments to the IMO Convention - status and related communications |
| INMARSAT | Convention and Operating Agreement on the International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT), 1976 - status and related communications (On 15 April 1999 the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) become the overseeing body of Inmarsat) |
| INMARSAT.2 | 1985 amendments to the Convention and Operating Agreement on the International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT), 1976 - communications - series discontinued |
| INMARSAT.3 | 1985 amendments to the Convention and Operating Agreement on the International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT), 1976 - acceptance and approval |
| INMARSAT.4 | Amendments adopted on 9 December 1994 to the Convention and Operating Agreement on the International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT) - status and related communications |
| INMARSAT.5 | Amendments adopted on 24 April 1998 to the Convention and Operating agreement on the International Maritime Satellite Organization (Inmarsat) - status |
| INMARSAT.6 | Amendments adopted on 29 September 2006 to the Convention on the International Mobile Satellite Organization - status and related communications |
| LDC (LC) | (1978, 1980, 1993) amendments to the Annexes to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and other Matter, 1972 - acceptances and non-acceptances |
| LDC.2 (LC.2) | Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and other Matter, 1972 - status and related communications |
| LDC.3 (LC.3) | 1978 amendments to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and other Matter, 1972 concerning the Settlement of disputes - status and related communications |
| LC.4 | 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and other Matter, 1972 - status and related communications |
| LC-LP.1 | 1996 Protocol to the Convention of the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and other matter (LONDON PROTOCOL 1996) - Notification under Article 8.2 |
| LEG | Legal Committee circulars |
| LEG/MISC | Documentation on UNCLOS |
| LL | International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 - status and related communications |
| LL.2 | International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 - communications received from Governments under Article 26 |
| LL.3 | International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 - application of draft amendments - Equivalents, Exemptions, Recognition of non-convention certificates - unified interpretations |
| LL.4 | 1971 amendments to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 - acceptances and related communications |
| LL.5 | Circular relating to International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 — communication of text and laws, decrees, orders, regulations and other instruments under Article 26(1)(b) |
| LL.6 | 1975 amendments to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 - acceptances and related communications |
| LL.7 | 1977 proposed amendments to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 - acceptances and rejections - series discontinued |
| LL.8 | 1979 amendments to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 - acceptances and related communications |
| LL.9 | 1983 amendments to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 - acceptances and related communications |
| LL.10 | Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 - status and related communications |
| LL.11 | Amendments adopted on 23 November 1995 to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 - status and related communications |
| LLMC | International Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976 - status and related communications |
| LLMC.2 | Convention on Limitations of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976 - denunciations |
| LLMC.3 | Protocol of 1996 to amend the Convention on Limitation of liability for Maritime Claims, 1976 - status and related communications |
| LNM | Convention relating to Civil Liability on the Field of Maritime Carriage of Nuclear Material - status and related communications |
| LSA | Life Saving Appliances - discontinued |
| MEPC | Maritime Environment Protection Committee - general on pollution matters |
| MEPC.2 | Provisional categorization of liquid substances |
| MEPC.3 | Facilities in ports for the reception of oily wastes from ships |
| MEPC.4 | Facilities in ports for the reception of noxious liquid substances (NLS) residues from ships carrying chemicals in bulk |
| MEPC.5 | Pollution prevention equipment required by MARPOL |
| MEPC.6 | List of national operational contact point or points responsible for the receipt, transmission and processing of urgent reports on incidents involving harmful substances including oil from ships to coastal states |
| MP | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 - status and related communications |
| MPS | Marine Pollution - report of incident involving significant spillage of oil into the sea |
| MSC | Maritime Safety Committee - general on safety matters |
| MSC.2 | Maritime Safety Committee - Implementation of Codes and Recommendations adopted by the Assembly |
| MSC.3 | Trafficking or transport of illegal migrants by sea |
| MSC.4 | Reports on acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships |
| MSC.5 | Information on Maritime Assistance Services (MAS) |
| MSC-FAL.1 | Securing and facilitating international trade |
| MSC-MEPC | Organization and methods of work |
| MSC-MEPC.2 | General matters |
| MSC-MEPC.3 | Casualty-related matters |
| MSC-MEPC.4 | Port State control-related matters |
| MSC-MEPC.5 | Survey and certification-related matters |
| MSC-MEPC.6 | National contact points for safety and pollution prevention and response |
| MSC-MEPC.7 | Human element |
| OPC | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, 1954, as amended - status and related communications |
| OPC.2 | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, 1954, as amended - Laws and Regulations deposited |
| OPC.3 | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, 1954 - acceptances and related communications - series discontinued |
| OPC.4 | 1971 amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, 1954 concerning tank arrangements and limitation of tank size - acceptances and related communications |
| OPC.5 | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, 1954, as amended - acceptances and related communications |
| OPC.6 | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, 1954, as amended - denunciations |
| OPPR | International Co-operation on Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response - Improving salvage services |
| OPRC | International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response, 1990 - status and related communications |
| OPRC.2 | Questionnaire on the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response, 1990 (OPRC Information System) including Article 8 of the Protocol I of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto |
| OPRC.3 | Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to Pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances, 2000 - status and related communications |
| OPS | Marine Pollution - Manuals on Prevention of pollution of the sea - Questionnaire on action taken by Governments to implement National Arrangements for dealing with significant spillages of oil - Facilities in ports for the reception of oil residues - series discontinued |
| PAL | Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974 - status and related communications |
| PAL.2 | Protocol of 1976 to the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974 - status and related communications |
| PAL.3 | Protocol of 1990 to amend the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974 - status and related communications |
| PMP | Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as amended - status and related communications |
| PMP.2 | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto - (MARPOL 73/78) Communications received under Article 11 (1)(b) - Authorized Survey and Inspection Agencies |
| PMP.3 | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78) - Communications under Article 11 (1)(c) - Specimen IOPP Certificate and Supplements - IBC Code certificates - BCH Code certificates - NLS-ANNEX II certificates |
| PMP.4 | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78) - Communications received under Article 11 (1)(a) - Laws and Regulations deposited |
| PMP.5 | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78) - Optional Annex V - acceptances |
| PMP.6 | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78) - Optional Annex III - acceptances |
| PMP.7 | Protocol of 1997 to amend the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978 Relating thereto - status and related communications |
| PSI | Protocol relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Marine Pollution by Substances other than Oil, 1973 - status and related communications |
| PSLS | Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 as amended- status and related communications |
| PSLS.2 | Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 as modified by the Protocol of 1978 - technical matters |
| PSLS.3 | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 - Authorized Survey and Inspection Services (Communications received under Article III of the Protocol and Regulation 6(c) of Chapter I) - Agencies authorized to issue certificates (Communications under regulation 12(a)(vii) of Chapter I) |
| PSLS.4 | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 - status and related communications - Specimen Certificates (Communications received under Article III(c) of the Convention) |
| PSLS.5 | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 - Laws and Regulations deposited (Communications received under Article III (b) of the Convention) |
| PSLS.6 | Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended - status and related communications |
| PSLS.7 | Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, relating to the 2006 amendments - status |
| SAFCON | International Conference on Safety of Life at Sea, 1960 - series discontinued |
| SALVAGE | International Convention on Salvage, 1989 - status and related communications |
| SAR | International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 - status and related communications |
| SAR.2 | International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 - Area Search and Rescue Plans |
| SAR.3 | International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 - Information on National Search and Rescue Facilities |
| SAR.4 | International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 - Disused Information consolidated in SAR 2 series - discontinued |
| SAR.5 | International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 - Information on International Search and Rescue Training Facilities |
| SAR.6 | International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 - Area Search and Rescue Plans |
| SAR.7 | International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 - List of IMO documents and publications which should be held by a Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) |
| SAR.8 | International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 - SAR services availability |
| SFV | Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels, 1977 - status and related communications |
| SFV.2 | Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels, 1977 - status and related communications |
| SLF | Sub-Committee on Stability and Load Lines and on Fishing Vessels Safety |
| SLS | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1948 - Equivalent Arrangements - Denunciations |
| SLS.2 | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1960 - equivalent arrangements - denunciations |
| SLS.3 | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1960 - Authorized Survey and Inspection Agencies and Specimen Certificates |
| SLS.4 | 1966 amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1960 - acceptances |
| SLS.5 | 1967 amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1960 - acceptances |
| SLS.6 | 1968 amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1960 - acceptances |
| SLS.7 | 1969 amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1960 - acceptances |
| SLS.8 | 1971 amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1960 - acceptances |
| SLS.9 | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1960 - Laws and Regulations deposited |
| SLS.10 | general |
| SLS.11 | 1973 amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1960 Chapters VI - acceptances |
| SLS.12 | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended - status and related communications |
| SLS.13 | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1960 - denunciations |
| SLS.14 | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended - Record of Cargo Ship Safety Equipment, Equivalents (Chapter I - Regulation 5) |
| SLS.15 | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended - Authorized Survey and Inspection Services (Communications received under Article III (a) of the Convention) |
| SLS.16 | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended - Specimen Certificates (Communications received under Article III (c) of the Convention) |
| SLS.17 | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended - Interim implementation of amendments and interpretations |
| SLS.18 | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended - Laws and Regulations deposited (Communications received under Article III(b) of the Convention) |
| SLS.19 | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended - Special rules drawn up by Agreement (Communications received under Article VII of the Convention) |
| SLS/agr | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended - Agreement concerning specific stability requirements for ro-ro passenger ships undertaking regular scheduled international voyages between or to or from designated ports in North West Europe and the Baltic Sea |
| SN | Safety of Navigation - Aids of navigation, Air/sea safety, Mined areas, Navigational vocabulary, Offshore drilling rigs and structures, Passage planning, Pilotage, Port signals, Rocket launching, Radar, Seismic surveys, Sea ice, Ship Reporting systems, Ship's Routeing other than T.S.S, Undersea obstructions, Wrecks |
| SSTP | Protocol on space requirements for Special Trad Passenger Ships, 1973 - status and related communications |
| SSTP.2 | Protocol on space requirements for Special Trad Passenger Ships, 1973 - Authorized Survey and Inspection Agencies |
| STCW | International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 - status and related communications |
| STCW.2 | International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 - Equivalent arrangements (Article IX) |
| STCW.3 | International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 - Laws and Regulations deposited and Specimen Certificates (Article IV(1)(a) and (c)) |
| STCW.4 | International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 - Communications received under Article IV(1)(c) - Specimen Certificates |
| STCW.5 | 1991 amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 - Information received under Regulation I/5 of the 1991 amendments |
| STCW.6 | International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 - Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code |
| STCW.7 | International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978 - Application of provisions of the 1978 STCW Convention to Mobile Offshore Units (MODUs) |
| STCW.8 | National authorities maintaining registers of STCW Convention certificates and endorsements |
| STCW95 | National administrations responsible for implementing the STCW Convention - ADMS for Regulating the STCW Convention |
| STCW-F | International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, 1995 - Fishing Vessels adms for Regulating the STCW Convention |
| STP | Special Trade Ships Agreement, 1971 - status and related communications |
| STP.2 | Special Trade Ships Agreement, 1971 - Authorised Survey and Inspection Agencies |
| STW | Standards of Training and Watchkeeping - National authorities responsible for issuing certificates of competency |
| SUA | Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, 1988 - status and related communications |
| SUA.2 | Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf - status and related communications |
| SUA.3 | Protocol of 2005 to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation - status and related communications |
| SUA.4 | Protocol of 2005 to the Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful acts against the Safaty of Fixed Platforms located on the Contintential Shelf - status and related communications |
| TC | Technical Co-Operation - Training and Assistance |
| TM | International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 - Comparison with Panama and Suez Canal Tonnages, Measurement of ships less than 24 m in length, Treatment of shelter deck and other open spaces |
| TM.2 | International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 - status and related communications |
| TM.3 | International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 - Communications received under article 15 (c) - Agencies authorized to issue certificates |
| TM.4 | International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 - Communications received under article 15 (a) - Specimen Certificates |
| TM.5 | International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 - Interpretations of the Provisions of the Convention |
| TM.6 | International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 - Communications received under article 15 (b), text of laws, decrees, orders, etc - Laws and Regulations deposited |