Extended Operational and Trade Vocabulary

IMO Conventions, Protocols, Codes, and Resolutions glossary

Terminology of IMO instruments by reference: the Assembly resolutions adopting the ISM Code, VTS guidelines, Standard Marine Communication Phrases, the Member State Audit Scheme, AIS operational guidelines and the ship identification number scheme, identifying each by resolution number, adoption date and the convention chapter that gives it mandatory force.

214 defined terms.

A

A.1067(28) IMSAS: IMO Assembly resolution of 4 December 2013 adopting the Framework and Procedures for the IMO Member State Audit Scheme.
A.1106(29) AIS Guidelines: Assembly resolution of 2 December 2015 revising the Guidelines for the onboard operational use of shipborne automatic identification systems.
A.1117(30) IMO Number Scheme: Assembly resolution of 6 December 2017 revising the IMO ship identification number scheme to extend voluntary application to fishing vessels of 100 GT and above.
A.741(18) ISM Resolution: IMO Assembly resolution of 4 November 1993 that adopted the International Safety Management Code, later made mandatory through SOLAS Chapter IX.
A.857(20) VTS Guidelines: IMO Assembly resolution of 27 November 1997 establishing Guidelines for Vessel Traffic Services and qualifications, training, and certification of VTS operators.
A.918(22) IMO SMCP: Assembly resolution of 29 November 2001 adopting the Standard Marine Communication Phrases for shipboard and ship-to-shore communications.
Adoption Date: The formal date on which a diplomatic conference or IMO governing body votes to accept the final text of an instrument, distinct from entry into force.
AFS Convention 2001: The IMO International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships, which prohibited tributyltin antifouling paints worldwide from 17 September 2008.
AFS Convention 2023 Amendments: Amendments controlling cybutryne in anti-fouling systems, adopted by MEPC.334(76) and entering into force 1 January 2023.
Annex I MARPOL: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil, entered into force 2 October 1983 with the rest of MARPOL 73/78.
Annex II MARPOL: Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk, entered into force 6 April 1987.
Annex III MARPOL: Regulations for Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances in Packaged Form, entered into force 1 July 1992.
Annex IV MARPOL: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships, entered into force 27 September 2003.
Annex V MARPOL: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships, entered into force 31 December 1988.
Annex VI MARPOL: IMO regulations on air pollution from ships.
Article 211 UNCLOS Link: The UNCLOS provision that authorizes IMO standards as the generally accepted international rules referenced for vessel-source pollution.
Athens 1976 Protocol: First Protocol to the Athens Convention, adopted 19 November 1976 and entered into force 30 April 1989, substituting SDR for Poincare francs.
Athens 1990 Protocol: Second Protocol to the Athens Convention, adopted 29 March 1990 but never entered into force, superseded by the 2002 Protocol.
Athens Convention 1974: The Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and Their Luggage by Sea, establishing carrier liability limits for passenger claims.
Athens Protocol 2002: Protocol to the Athens Convention, adopted 1 November 2002 and entered into force 23 April 2014, raising liability limits and adding compulsory insurance.

B

Ballast Water Management Convention: IMO convention triggering tank coating, pumping, and treatment requirements often modeled in NAPA Loading Computer.
BCH Code: Bulk Chemical Code, the predecessor instrument to the IBC Code applying to chemical tankers constructed before 1 July 1986.
Berne Conference 1948: The first SOLAS revision conference after World War II, producing the SOLAS 1948 Convention superseded by SOLAS 1960.
Bunker Convention 2001: International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage.
BWM 2017 Amendments: Amendments adopted by MEPC.297(72) establishing the experience-building phase and revised implementation schedule for D-2 compliance.
BWM D-1 Standard: Ballast Water Exchange Standard requiring at least 95 percent volumetric exchange of ballast water.
BWM D-2 Standard: Ballast Water Performance Standard limiting viable organisms to specified concentrations after treatment.

C

Cape Town Agreement 2012: IMO treaty on the safety of fishing vessels of 24 m and over, requiring ratification by 22 states with at least 3,600 qualifying vessels to enter into force, still pending as of 2026.
Casualty Investigation Code: Code of the International Standards and Recommended Practices for a Safety Investigation into a Marine Casualty or Marine Incident, mandatory under SOLAS XI-1/6.
CLC 1969: International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, adopted 29 November 1969 and entered into force 19 June 1975.
CLC 1976 Protocol: Protocol to CLC adopted 19 November 1976 and entered into force 8 April 1981, substituting SDR for Poincare francs.
CLC 1984 Protocol: Protocol adopted 25 May 1984 that never entered into force, superseded by the 1992 Protocol.
CLC 1992 Protocol: Protocol adopted 27 November 1992 and entered into force 30 May 1996, raising liability limits and broadening damage definitions.
CLC 2000 Amendments: Amendments raising the 1992 CLC limits by approximately 50.37 percent, adopted October 2000 and entered into force 1 November 2003.
COLREGs 1972: Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, adopted 20 October 1972 and entered into force 15 July 1977.
COLREGs Amendment 1981: First set of COLREG amendments, entered into force 1 June 1983, refining Rules 10 and 22.
COLREGs Amendment 1987: Amendments entered into force 19 November 1989 clarifying provisions on traffic separation schemes.
COLREGs Amendment 2007: Amendments entered into force 1 December 2009 introducing wing-in-ground craft into Part A definitions.
CSC 1972: International Convention for Safe Containers, adopted 2 December 1972 and entered into force 6 September 1977.
CSC 2014 Amendments: Amendments adopted by MSC.355(92) introducing the verified gross mass requirement and other revisions.
CSR 2008: IACS Common Structural Rules for double-hull oil tankers and bulk carriers, harmonized in 2014, referenced under SOLAS II-1.

D

Diplomatic Conference: Plenipotentiary meeting that adopts a new IMO convention or major protocol.
DSC Code 1981: Code of Safety for Dynamically Supported Craft, superseded for new vessels by the HSC Code from 1996.

E

EEDI: Energy Efficiency Design Index, MARPOL Annex VI Chapter 4.
EEXI: Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index, MARPOL Annex VI Chapter 4.
Entry into Force: Date a convention becomes legally binding, governed by tonnage and ratification thresholds.
Escape Route Standards: Provisions in SOLAS II-2 Regulation 13 and the FSS Code Chapter 13 governing means of escape on passenger and cargo ships.
ESP Code 2011: International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, adopted by Resolution A.1049(27).

F

FAL 2016 Amendments: Amendments mandating electronic exchange of information through maritime single windows, entered into force 1 January 2018.
FAL 2022 Amendments: Amendments adopted at FAL 46 making the maritime single window mandatory for ports from 1 January 2024.
FAL Convention 1965: Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, adopted 9 April 1965 and entered into force 5 March 1967.
FAL Form 1: IMO General Declaration, the basic standardized arrival or departure document under the FAL Convention.
FAL Form 2: Cargo Declaration providing cargo information on arrival or departure.
FAL Form 3: Ship's Stores Declaration covering consumable supplies retained on board.
FAL Form 4: Crew's Effects Declaration listing personal items belonging to the crew.
FAL Form 5: Crew List standardized under the FAL Convention.
FAL Form 6: Passenger List standardized under the FAL Convention.
FAL Form 7: Dangerous Goods Manifest under the FAL Convention.
Fishing Vessel Protocol 1993: Torremolinos Protocol of 1993 relating to the Safety of Fishing Vessels, never in force; replaced operationally by the Cape Town Agreement 2012.
FSS Code: International Code for Fire Safety Systems, adopted by MSC.98(73) and made mandatory under SOLAS II-2 from 1 July 2002.
FTP Code 2010: International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures 2010, adopted by MSC.307(88) and entered into force 1 July 2012.
Fund 1971 Termination: The 1971 Fund Convention ceased to be in force on 24 May 2002 after denunciations brought membership below the required threshold.
Fund 1992 Protocol: Protocol adopted 27 November 1992 and entered into force 30 May 1996, establishing the 1992 IOPC Fund.
Fund 2000 Amendments: Amendments raising the 1992 Fund limits by approximately 50.37 percent, entered into force 1 November 2003.
Fund Convention 1971: The International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, superseded by the 1992 Protocol.

G

GC Code: Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk, applicable to gas carriers built between 1976 and 30 June 1986.
GISIS: Global Integrated Shipping Information System, IMO's public and restricted-access database platform.
GMDSS: Global Maritime Distress and Safety System under SOLAS Chapter IV.
Grain Code 1991: International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk, adopted by MSC.23(59) and made mandatory under SOLAS VI from 1 January 1994.

H

HNS 2010 Protocol: Protocol amending the 1996 HNS Convention, adopted 30 April 2010 and not yet in force, designed to address ratification obstacles.
HNS Convention 1996: International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, adopted 3 May 1996 and not yet in force.
Hong Kong Convention: International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, in force 26 June 2025.
HSC Code 1994: International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft adopted by Resolution MSC.36(63), in force from 1 January 1996.
HSC Code 2000: Revised code adopted by Resolution MSC.97(73), applicable to HSCs built on or after 1 July 2002.

I

IAFS Certificate: International Anti-Fouling System Certificate under AFS Convention.
IBC Code: International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk.
IBC Code 2014 Amendments: Major revision to the IBC Code adopted by MEPC.250(66) and MSC.369(93), entered into force 1 January 2016.
IBC Code 2020 Revision: Comprehensive revision of product chapters 17 and 18 adopted by MEPC.318(74) and MSC.460(101), entered into force 1 January 2021.
IGC Code 1983: International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk, adopted by MSC.5(48) on 17 June 1983 for gas carriers built on or after 1 July 1986.
IGC Code 1993 Amendments: Major IGC revisions adopted by MSC.30(61) effective 1 July 1994.
IGC Code 2014 Amendments: Comprehensive IGC revision adopted by MSC.370(93) on 22 May 2014 and entered into force 1 January 2016.
IGF Code 2017: International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels, adopted by MSC.391(95) and entered into force 1 January 2017 under SOLAS II-1.
III Code: IMO Instruments Implementation Code, mandatory under SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Lines, Tonnage 1969, COLREG, and STCW.
IMDG Amendment 41-22: Edition of the IMDG Code entering into force 1 January 2024 on a voluntary basis and mandatory from 1 January 2024.
IMDG Code: International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, mandatory under SOLAS VII Part A.
IMSBC Code: International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code, mandatory under SOLAS VI/1-1 and VII/7-1.
IMSO Convention 1976: Convention on the International Mobile Satellite Organization, adopted 3 September 1976 and entered into force 16 July 1979.
INF Code: International Code for the Safe Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, mandatory under SOLAS VII.
Intact Stability Code 2008: International Code on Intact Stability, adopted by MSC.267(85) and made mandatory through SOLAS and the Load Lines Protocol from 1 July 2010.
INTERVENTION 1969: International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties, adopted 29 November 1969 and entered into force 6 May 1975.
INTERVENTION 1973 Protocol: Protocol extending intervention to substances other than oil, adopted 2 November 1973 and entered into force 30 March 1983.
IOPC Fund 1992: The international fund established under the 1992 Fund Protocol providing second-tier oil pollution compensation.
IOPC Supplementary Fund: Third-tier compensation regime established by the Supplementary Fund Protocol 2003.
ISM Code: International Safety Management Code, mandatory under SOLAS IX.
ISM Phase 2: Mandatory application of the ISM Code to all other cargo ships of 500 GT and above and MODUs from 1 July 2002.
ISPS Code: International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, mandatory under SOLAS XI-2.
ISPS Part A: Mandatory section of the ISPS Code containing detailed requirements.
ISPS Part B: Recommendatory guidance for implementing Part A.

J

Joint MEPC/MSC Working Group: Coordinated subsidiary body that drafts cross-cutting instruments such as the Polar Code and the IGF Code.

K

KR Compliance Verification: Surveys and audits conducted by recognized organizations under the RO Code on behalf of flag administrations.

L

LL 2003 Amendments: Revised Annex B amendments adopted by MSC.143(77) and entered into force 1 January 2005.
LL Protocol 1988: The Protocol of 1988 relating to the Load Lines Convention, harmonizing the survey and certification system.
LL66: International Convention on Load Lines 1966, adopted 5 April 1966 and entered into force 21 July 1968.
LLMC 1976: Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, the modern global limitation regime.
LLMC 1996 Protocol: The Protocol amending the 1976 LLMC, raising limits and simplifying amendment procedures.
LLMC 2012 Amendments: Amendments adopted by LEG.5(99) on 19 April 2012 raising the 1996 Protocol limits by 51 percent, entered into force 8 June 2015.
Load Line zones: Geographic seasonal zones defined in the 1966 Load Lines Convention, governing freeboard assignment.
LRIT: Long-Range Identification and Tracking, required by SOLAS V/19-1 since 31 December 2008.
LSA Code: International Life-Saving Appliance Code, mandatory under SOLAS III/34.

M

Manila Amendments 2010: Substantial revisions to the STCW Convention and Code adopted on 25 June 2010, in force 1 January 2012.
Manila Amendments 2022: Limited STCW updates adopted in 2022 to clarify training, watchkeeping, and certification provisions.
MARPOL 1973: International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, adopted 2 November 1973 but never entered into force in its original form.
MARPOL 1978 Protocol: Protocol of 1978 relating to MARPOL, adopted 17 February 1978 and combined with the parent convention as MARPOL 73/78, entering into force 2 October 1983.
MARPOL 1997 Protocol: Protocol adding Annex VI to MARPOL, adopted 26 September 1997 and entered into force 19 May 2005.
MEPC.203(62): Resolution of 2011 adopting EEDI and SEEMP amendments to MARPOL Annex VI.
MEPC.297(72): Resolution of 13 April 2018 amending BWM Convention regulation B-3 implementation schedule.
MEPC.305(73): Resolution adopting the Initial IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, adopted 13 April 2018.
MEPC.328(76): Adoption of MARPOL Annex VI amendments establishing EEXI, CII rating, and enhanced SEEMP.
MEPC.334(76): Resolution adopting amendments to the AFS Convention to control cybutryne, entered into force 1 January 2023.
MEPC.377(80): IMO 2023 Revised Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships.
MEPC.391(81): Resolution adopting MARPOL Annex VI amendments for Mediterranean SOx ECA, adopted 22 March 2024.
MODU Code 1979: Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, adopted by Resolution A.414(XI).
MODU Code 1989: Revised MODU Code adopted by Resolution A.649(16) for units built on or after 1 May 1991.
MODU Code 2009: Updated IMO MODU Code adopted in 2009 covering modern mobile offshore drilling units.
MSC.137(76): Resolution of 4 December 2002 adopting Standards for Ship Manoeuvrability.
MSC.202(81): Resolution of 19 May 2006 adopting LRIT amendments to SOLAS Chapter V.
MSC.235(82): Resolution of 1 December 2006 adopting performance standards for S-VDR retrofit.
MSC.255(84): IMO Resolution adopting the Casualty Investigation Code on 16 May 2008.
MSC.267(85): International Code on Intact Stability, 2008 (IS Code 2008).
MSC.268(85): International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code).
MSC.307(88): Resolution of 3 December 2010 adopting the 2010 FTP Code.
MSC.337(91): Resolution of 30 November 2012 adopting the Code on Noise Levels On Board Ships.
MSC.36(63): Resolution of 20 May 1994 adopting the 1994 HSC Code.
MSC.385(94): Adopted safety provisions of the Polar Code, 21 November 2014.
MSC.386(94): Adopted SOLAS Chapter XIV making the Polar Code mandatory.
MSC.391(95): Resolution of 11 June 2015 adopting the IGF Code.
MSC.4(48): IMO Maritime Safety Committee resolution adopting the IBC Code in 1983 with entry into force in 1986.
MSC.428(98): IMO resolution on Maritime Cyber Risk Management in Safety Management Systems.
MSC.5(48): Resolution of 17 June 1983 adopting the IGC Code.
MSC.97(73): Resolution of 5 December 2000 adopting the 2000 HSC Code.
MSC.98(73): Resolution of 5 December 2000 adopting the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code).

N

Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention: Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, adopted 18 May 2007 and entered into force 14 April 2015.
NOx Technical Code 2008: Mandatory under MARPOL Annex VI.

O

OPRC 1990: International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation.
OPRC-HNS Protocol 2000: Protocol extending the OPRC 90 framework to hazardous and noxious substances, in force June 14, 2007.
OSV Chemical Code: Code for the Transport and Handling of Hazardous and Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk on Offshore Support Vessels, adopted by Resolution A.1122(30).

P

PAL 1974: An alternative shorthand for the Athens Convention 1974 on passenger liability, often grouped with related IMO liability instruments.
Performance Standard for Compasses: IMO standards for magnetic compass equipment under Resolution A.382(X) and subsequent revisions.
Polar Code: Adopted under SOLAS XIV and MARPOL; complements Article 234 jurisdiction.
Polar Code Part I-A: Mandatory safety provisions for ships operating in polar waters under SOLAS XIV.
Polar Code Part II-A: Mandatory pollution prevention provisions under MARPOL.
Polar Ship Certificate: Certificate issued under Polar Code attesting compliance and listing limitations.
Protocol of 1978 SOLAS: Adopted 17 February 1978 and entered into force 1 May 1981, introducing unscheduled inspections and steering gear improvements.
Protocol of 1988 (SOLAS): Introduced the HSSC.

Q

Quality System Requirements: Provisions under STCW Article IX requiring administrations to apply quality standards to training, assessment, certification, and endorsement.

R

Recognized organization: RO, delegated to act on behalf of the flag state.
Recognized security organization: RSO under ISPS Code.
Resolution A.1119(30): Assembly resolution of 6 December 2017 on Procedures for Port State Control.
Resolution A.1155(32): Assembly resolution of 15 December 2021 on Procedures for Port State Control updating PSC guidance.
Resolution A.1156(32): Assembly resolution of 15 December 2021 on Survey Guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification.
RO Code: Code for Recognized Organizations, see entry above.

S

S-VDR: Simplified Voyage Data Recorder addressed by MSC.235(82), required on certain existing cargo ships under SOLAS V/20.
Salvage Convention 1989: International Convention on Salvage, with Article 14 special compensation.
SAR 1998 Amendments: Comprehensive revision adopted by MSC.70(69) and entered into force 1 January 2000, restructuring SAR plans and regions.
SAR 2004 Amendments: Amendments adopted by MSC.155(78) on places of refuge and disembarkation, entered into force 1 July 2006.
SAR Convention 1979: International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue.
SEEMP: Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan required for all ships of 400 GT and above under MARPOL Annex VI; Parts II and III apply to ships of 5,000 GT and above.
SOLAS 1914: First International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, adopted 20 January 1914 in London after the Titanic disaster but never entered into force due to World War I.
SOLAS 1929: Second SOLAS Convention adopted 31 May 1929 and entered into force 1 January 1933.
SOLAS 1948: Third SOLAS Convention adopted 10 June 1948 and entered into force 19 November 1952.
SOLAS 1960: Fourth SOLAS Convention adopted 17 June 1960 under IMO auspices and entered into force 26 May 1965.
SOLAS 1974: The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, the principal convention enforced through PSC.
SOLAS Chapter I: General Provisions covering applicability, definitions, surveys, and certificates.
SOLAS Chapter II-1: Construction, subdivision, and stability, machinery and electrical installations.
SOLAS Chapter II-2: Fire protection, fire detection, and fire extinction.
SOLAS Chapter III: Life-saving appliances and arrangements.
SOLAS Chapter IV: Radiocommunications, including GMDSS requirements.
SOLAS Chapter IX: Convention chapter incorporating the ISM Code through which IMO cyber requirements are enforced.
SOLAS Chapter V: Safety of Navigation.
SOLAS Chapter VI: Carriage of cargoes and oil fuels, including the IMSBC and Grain codes.
SOLAS Chapter VII: Carriage of dangerous goods.
SOLAS Chapter VIII: Nuclear ships.
SOLAS Chapter X: Safety measures for high-speed craft, making the HSC Code mandatory.
SOLAS Chapter XI-1: Special measures to enhance maritime safety, including IMO Number, CSR, and III Code references.
SOLAS Chapter XI-2: Maritime security regulations including ISPS.
SOLAS Chapter XII: Additional safety measures for bulk carriers, adopted 1997 and amended subsequently.
SOLAS Chapter XIII: Verification of compliance, making the III Code mandatory from 1 January 2016.
SOLAS Chapter XIV: Safety measures for ships operating in polar waters; adopted by MSC.386(94).
SOLAS Chapter XV: Safety measures for ships carrying industrial personnel, adopted by MSC.521(106) and in force 1 July 2024.
SPS Code 2008: Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships, adopted by MSC.266(84).
STCW 1978: International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.
STCW 1995 Amendments: Comprehensive STCW revision adopted 7 July 1995 and entered into force 1 February 1997, introducing the STCW Code.
STCW Code: Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping.
STCW-F 1995: STCW for Fishing Vessel Personnel.
Stockholm Agreement 1996: Regional agreement on specific stability requirements for ro-ro passenger ships in Northwest Europe and the Baltic.
STP 1971: Special Trade Passenger Ships Agreement, adopted 6 October 1971 and entered into force 2 January 1974.
STP Protocol 1973: Protocol on Space Requirements for Special Trade Passenger Ships, adopted 13 July 1973 and entered into force 2 June 1977.
SUA 2005 Protocol: Protocol broadening SUA to cover use of ships for WMD transport, in force 28 July 2010.
SUA Convention 1988: Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, in force March 1992.
SUA Protocol 1988: Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf, adopted 10 March 1988 and entered into force 1 March 1992.
Sulphur cap 2020: 0.50 percent global cap on fuel oil sulphur.
Supplementary Fund Protocol 2003: Protocol of 2003 to the 1992 Fund Convention, adopted 16 May 2003 and entered into force 3 March 2005, creating third-tier compensation up to 750 million SDR.

T

Tacit Acceptance Procedure: Amendment procedure used by SOLAS and other instruments whereby amendments enter into force on a set date unless objected to by a specified number of states.
Tonnage 1969: International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, adopted 23 June 1969 and entered into force 18 July 1982.
Torremolinos Convention (1977): Original IMO convention on the safety of fishing vessels, never entered into force.
TSPP Conference 1978: International Conference on Tanker Safety and Pollution Prevention that produced the 1978 SOLAS and MARPOL Protocols.

U

UNCLOS Linkage: Provisions throughout the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea referencing competent international organizations, generally understood to mean IMO for shipping matters.

V

VDR Performance Standards: Voyage Data Recorder standards in Resolution MSC.333(90), made mandatory under SOLAS V/20.
VGM Requirement: Verified Gross Mass requirement under SOLAS VI Regulation 2 effective 1 July 2016.
VTS Guidelines: Adopted by Resolution A.857(20) of 27 November 1997 and operating in conjunction with SOLAS V/12.

W

Wreck Removal Certificate: Required under Nairobi WRC for ships of 300 GT and above.

X

X-band Radar Standards: Radar performance standards under Resolution MSC.192(79) made mandatory through SOLAS V/19.

Y

Young Persons Provisions: STCW Code Section A-I/14 controls on minimum age and training of young seafarers serving on certificated ships.

Z

Zero Carbon Targets: IMO strategic targets under MEPC.377(80) aiming for net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by or around 2050.