ABSTRACT
The international maritime organization is the main “competent international organization” in the UN system responsible for developing the global rules and standards relating to maritime safety, prevention of marine pollution from vessels and by dumping. Multiple levels of analysis could be conducted to determine the efficacy of the relevant legal tools to combat marine pollution. The first level, which is relatively easy to assess, consists of determining the number of states that have agreed to be bound by the relevant treaties. The second level of assessment consists of analyzing national laws and regulations which have been enacted in compliance with the applicable treaties. The third level involves an assessment of programs and initiatives that complement legal and regulatory action. This chapter concludes by recommending that states efficiently implement existing rules and notes that there must be sufficient knowledge and understanding of applicable international instruments, particularly those that enhance coordinated approaches between states to avoid duplicative efforts.
