IMO Legal matters digital version

Since July 1, 2024, the IMO has been selling its books in digital format directly on its website. As a result, the IMO distribution network now only sells IMO books in paper format.

IMO digital book sales website https://imo-epublications.org/

The International Maritime Organization (IMO or IMO in English) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, specializing in maritime issues, it was created in 1948 and has 172 members.

IMO publications are intended for maritime navigation by merchant marine professionals. Some are mandatory on board ships or captaincies.

Details:
Originally in paper version, the IMO also publishes its works in digital version. There may be stock shortages on the "paper" versions, so only the "digital" versions become available, pending a new printing during a new edition. We are not informed of breaks and new editions.

The purchase of an IMO digital work is linked to a license which allows it to be downloaded and read. It is linked to the buyer and his computer, so it is not possible to modify the buyer's email to modify its destination, and to change computer (install the work on another PC, example from a fixed PC to a portable PC). On the other hand it is possible to buy a license for a second computer (contact us directly for this).

IMO digital books are only available in .pdf or .ebk. The point of extension depends on the work, we do not know in advance the extensions for such or such work.

The .ebk format can only be used with the IMO reader, which is free and only works under Windows. We have no info on Mac, Linux or Android. The reader allows you to print digital books, and probably to make a .pdf to read it on Mac.

Following your purchase, we open an account in your name at the IMO, for works in English versions the delay is fast, for works in French version, there may be a delay of a few days.

Following the opening of your account, we will send you a login and a password, communicated by the OMI, so that you can download your work.

- IMO Reader for books in English: https://vp.imo.org
- New IMO reader: https://vp.imo.org
- The IMO bookshelf

The IMO prescribes a list of documents required on board ships. Here are the texts of the IMO:

• in French: IMO-MSC-MEPC.2-Circ.2 - IMO requirements relating to publications to be carried on board ships
• in English: IMO-MSC-MEPC-2-Circ2 - On carriage of publications