ABSTRACT
One inevitable consequence of the international character of shipping has been the emergence of various international organizations to deal with common problems. As seaborne trade grew, so did the need for international agreements on commercial, safety, and other matters and on both governmental and private levels. With headquarters in London, Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization's (IMCO) major purposes are to promote international cooperation in all technical matters affecting shipping, to discourage discriminatory and restrictive shipping practices, and to promote the freest possible availability of tonnage to meet the needs of seaborne trade. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development purpose is to promote mote international trade, particularly between less-developed countries, in order to further and accelerate economic development. IMCO's functions are to serve as a machinery for consultation among its members and for advising other UN agencies dealing with marine-related aspects of labor, telecommunications, meteorology, oceanography, aviation, atomic energy, and health.
