IMO – Maritime Safety in Paper Format – Conventions, Regulations and Ship Safety

IMO documentation dedicated to maritime safety in paper format brings together the main international references relating to ship safety, navigation, collision prevention, maritime communications, search and rescue, and the protection of life at sea. The International Maritime Organization, known as IMO in English and OMI in French, develops and maintains a wide range of conventions, codes, manuals, recommendations and technical publications designed to regulate the safety of international maritime transport.

This documentation is particularly relevant to merchant shipping, officers, masters, shipowners, shipping companies, fleet managers, maritime administrations, maritime training schools and port professionals. It supports vessels operating on major commercial routes from the English Channel and North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean.

The paper format remains important in technical libraries, training centres, regulatory departments and professional environments where reference texts need to be directly accessible.

What does IMO maritime safety documentation include?

Maritime safety is one of the main areas of activity of the IMO. The publications concerned cover many different but complementary subjects.

They include references relating to:

• the SOLAS Convention;

• the COLREG International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea;

• the STCW Convention and Code concerning the training and certification of seafarers;

• the GMDSS;

• maritime search and rescue;

• life-saving appliances and arrangements;

• fire safety;

• navigation and ship routing;

• maritime communications and maritime safety information;

• Port State Control;

• cargo and ship safety;

• ships operating in specific environments.

The IMO catalogue includes, among other publications, the 2024 consolidated edition of SOLAS, COLREG 2026, the 2026 FSS Code, the 2024 GMDSS Manual, SAR-related publications and the Port State Control procedures.

SOLAS: the international reference for ship safety

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, or SOLAS, is one of the fundamental pillars of international maritime safety regulations.

It establishes requirements concerning, among other things, ship construction, equipment and operation from a safety perspective.

Depending on the chapter concerned, SOLAS addresses:

• ship structure, stability and installations;

• fire protection;

• life-saving appliances and arrangements;

• safety of navigation;

• radiocommunications;

• cargo safety;

• dangerous goods;

• safety management.

For example, on a commercial vessel operating between Le Havre and Rotterdam, international safety requirements must be considered together with navigation rules, nautical information and procedures applicable in the English Channel and North Sea.

COLREG: preventing collisions at sea

The COLREG, International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, provide the international framework for steering and sailing rules and collision prevention.

The regulations cover in particular:

• responsibilities of vessels;

• situations involving meeting vessels;

• crossing situations;

• overtaking;

• stand-on and give-way vessels;

• lights and shapes;

• sound and light signals;

• traffic separation schemes.

These rules are particularly important in areas with high traffic density.

The English Channel, Strait of Dover and North Sea are major examples, with commercial shipping routes connecting Dunkirk, Calais, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Antwerp and British ports.

The IMO currently lists a 2026 edition of COLREG in its catalogue.

STCW: training and competence of seafarers

The STCW Convention establishes international standards concerning the training, certification and watchkeeping of seafarers.

It applies in particular to masters, officers, deck and engine personnel and maritime training institutions.

Publications associated with STCW help explain the international competencies and training standards applicable to seafarers.

They are particularly useful in maritime schools, training centres and shipping companies.

The IMO has published a new 2026 edition of the STCW Convention and Code, illustrating the importance of checking the edition of a document before professional or regulatory use.

GMDSS: safety communications

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, or GMDSS, is a fundamental component of modern maritime safety.

The relevant IMO documentation covers in particular:

• distress communications;

• safety alerts;

• ship-to-shore communications;

• maritime safety services;

• NAVTEX;

• SafetyNET;

• communication procedures;

• radio equipment.

The 2024 GMDSS Manual is among the publications currently listed by the IMO. The Organization also lists the 2023 NAVTEX Manual and the joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information, 2025 Edition.

These documents are relevant to vessels operating in the Atlantic as well as those operating in the Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean.

Maritime Search and Rescue

Maritime safety is not limited to accident prevention. It also includes the organization of search and rescue operations at sea.

The IMO works in particular with the SAR system and the IAMSAR Manual, which addresses the organization and coordination of search and rescue operations.

These references are relevant to:

• rescue coordination centres;

• maritime administrations;

• merchant ships;

• officers;

• training organizations;

• maritime search and rescue professionals.

IMO publications relating to SAR include the volumes of the IAMSAR Manual, the GMDSS Manual, the NAVTEX Manual and the Manual on Maritime Safety Information.

Safety of Navigation and Voyage Planning

Maritime safety also depends on careful voyage planning.

IMO publications relating to navigation may address ship routing, navigation systems, safety procedures and standards applicable to equipment.

For example, a vessel operating between Marseille and Gibraltar navigates in an international maritime environment characterized by high traffic density, particularly around the Strait of Gibraltar.

Similarly, routes between Brest, Saint-Nazaire, Bordeaux or Bayonne and Spanish or Portuguese ports require the application of common international rules.

Fire Safety and Life-Saving Appliances

The safety of people on board also depends on preventing and managing emergency situations.

The IMO publishes documents relating to fire safety systems, firefighting equipment and life-saving appliances.

The International Code for Fire Safety Systems, or FSS Code, is an important reference in this field.

The IMO currently lists a 2026 edition of the FSS Code together with various publications relating to life-saving appliances and arrangements.

These references are particularly relevant to merchant ships, passenger ships, specialized vessels and maritime training institutions.

Cargo Safety and Dangerous Goods

Maritime safety also includes cargo transport.

Improperly secured cargo, dangerous goods or cargo-handling operations can pose significant risks to ships and crews.

International regulations address in particular:

• stowage and securing;

• ship stability;

• transport of dangerous goods;

• product classification;

• containers;

• loading and unloading operations;

• accident-prevention measures.

The IMDG Code is the main international reference for the maritime transport of packaged dangerous goods. The IMO has published a 2026 edition incorporating Amendment 43-26.

Port State Control

Maritime safety is also monitored during port calls.

Port State Control procedures allow the competent authorities to verify that ships comply with applicable international conventions and requirements.

Inspections may cover:

• certificates;

• safety equipment;

• procedures;

• working conditions;

• radiocommunications;

• pollution prevention;

• navigational safety;

• life-saving appliances.

Port State Control procedures are among the IMO's recent publications, with a 2026 edition currently listed.

English Channel, North Sea and Major Commercial Ports

IMO publications on maritime safety are particularly relevant to vessels calling at major European ports.

In the English Channel and North Sea, they support maritime operations around Dunkirk, Calais, Le Havre, Rotterdam and Antwerp.

These areas concentrate significant flows of commercial vessels, container ships, tankers, bulk carriers and specialized vessels.

IMO regulations complement the nautical information produced by hydrographic services and maritime authorities in different countries.

Atlantic, Mediterranean and International Shipping Routes

The same principles apply in the Bay of Biscay, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.

Ports such as Brest, Saint-Nazaire, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Bayonne, Lisbon, Vigo, Bilbao, Marseille, Toulon, Barcelona, Genoa, Naples and Gibraltar are connected to international commercial shipping routes.

Beyond Gibraltar, vessels may continue towards the Red Sea, Suez Canal, Indian Ocean and major Asian shipping routes.

IMO documentation provides a common international regulatory framework supporting these voyages.

Relationship with Nautical Charts and Hydrographic Publishers

IMO maritime safety documentation does not replace nautical charts.

Nautical charts and publications are produced in particular by SHOM for French waters and by ADMIRALTY for the United Kingdom and many international areas. NV Charts is also a specialist nautical chart publisher covering various regions.

A nautical chart provides geographical and hydrographic information required for navigation. IMO documentation, by contrast, provides rules, standards, conventions and procedures relating to maritime safety.

The two types of documentation therefore serve different but complementary purposes.

For Merchant Shipping Professionals

IMO documentation in paper format is particularly relevant to:

• masters;

• deck officers;

• marine engineers;

• shipowners;

• shipping companies;

• safety managers;

• fleet managers;

• maritime administrations;

• inspectors;

• port professionals;

• maritime schools and training centres.

It can be used for training, regulatory preparation, audits, inspections, document management and the study of international conventions.

For Maritime Schools and Training Centres

Maritime schools use IMO references to train future professionals in the international rules applicable to commercial navigation.

Paper publications are particularly suitable for educational libraries and classrooms.

They enable students and trainees to work directly with the texts and develop a structured understanding of the principal areas of maritime safety: navigation, collision prevention, communications, search and rescue, fire safety, cargoes and seafarer training.

Why Consult an IMO Publication in Paper Format?

The paper format provides a stable documentary resource, particularly suitable for professional libraries and environments where regulatory documentation needs to remain readily accessible.

It can be used:

• as a permanent reference;

• for courses and training;

• for regulatory research;

• for documentary work;

• in safety and compliance departments;

• when preparing audits or inspections;

• to study international conventions and codes.

The edition and any applicable amendments should nevertheless always be checked. The IMO regularly publishes new editions and updates to its documents.

Conclusion

IMO documentation dedicated to maritime safety in paper format provides a set of international references for understanding and applying the main principles governing the safety of maritime transport.

From SOLAS to COLREG, from STCW to GMDSS, from search and rescue to safety equipment, fire safety and the transport of dangerous goods, these publications cover many aspects of ship and life safety.

They support commercial navigation in the English Channel, North Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, around ports such as Dunkirk, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Brest, Marseille and Gibraltar.

IMO documentation therefore complements nautical charts and publications from SHOM, ADMIRALTY, NV Charts and other national hydrographic offices. It provides the international regulatory and technical framework necessary for a comprehensive understanding of maritime safety.

FAQ

What is IMO maritime safety documentation?

It is a collection of international conventions, codes, manuals, recommendations and publications dedicated to ship safety, navigation and the protection of life at sea.

What are the main IMO references for maritime safety?

The main references include SOLAS, COLREG, STCW, GMDSS, SAR publications, the FSS Code, documents relating to life-saving appliances and certain publications concerning Port State Control.

What is SOLAS?

SOLAS is the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. It establishes international requirements concerning, among other things, ship construction, equipment and operation from a safety perspective.

What is COLREG?

COLREG is the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. It defines steering and sailing rules, lights, shapes and signals applicable to vessels.

What is STCW?

STCW is the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

What is GMDSS?

GMDSS, or the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, organizes distress and safety communications and the distribution of information necessary for maritime safety.

Does IMO documentation replace nautical charts?

No. IMO publications primarily provide rules, conventions, standards and procedures. Nautical charts provide the geographical and hydrographic information required for navigation.

What is the difference between IMO and SHOM?

The IMO primarily develops the international regulatory and technical framework for maritime transport. SHOM is the French hydrographic and oceanographic service, responsible in particular for producing official French nautical data, charts and publications.

What is the difference between IMO and ADMIRALTY?

The IMO is an international organization responsible in particular for developing international maritime conventions and regulations. ADMIRALTY is the United Kingdom's hydrographic service and produces official nautical charts and publications.

Who is IMO maritime safety documentation intended for?

It is relevant to masters, officers, shipowners, shipping companies, fleet managers, maritime administrations, inspectors, port professionals, maritime schools and instructors.

Why should the edition of an IMO publication be checked?

Conventions, codes and other regulatory documents may be amended or replaced by new editions. The applicable edition should therefore be verified before professional or regulatory use.

Is the paper format of IMO publications still useful?

Yes. It provides a stable documentary resource that can be directly consulted in maritime libraries, training centres, regulatory departments and professional environments.

Do IMO publications concern only commercial vessels?

No. They also cover many other areas, including passenger ships, fishing vessels, specialized vessels, maritime search and rescue, seafarer training, port security and different categories of vessels subject to IMO international instruments.