Where is the headquarters of IMO?

The headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is located in London, United Kingdom. The official IMO headquarters address is 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR, United Kingdom, on the River Thames.

What is IMO?

IMO stands for the International Maritime Organization.

It is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for improving the safety and security of international shipping and preventing pollution from ships.

The organization works with governments and the international maritime industry to establish global rules for shipping.

Where exactly is IMO headquarters?

IMO's headquarters is located at:

International Maritime Organization
4 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7SR
United Kingdom

The organization describes its headquarters as being on the bank of the River Thames in central London.

Why is IMO headquartered in London?

London has historically been one of the world's major centers for maritime commerce, shipping and maritime law.

The city's connection with the international shipping industry made it a logical location for an international organization responsible for maritime regulation.

What does IMO do?

IMO develops the international regulatory framework for shipping.

Its work covers:

• Maritime safety

• Maritime security

• Prevention of marine pollution

• Ship construction and equipment standards

• Navigation

• Training and certification of seafarers

• Search and rescue

• Facilitation of international maritime traffic

• Technical cooperation

The organization's goal is to create a global maritime regulatory framework that is effective, universally adopted and implemented.

Who leads IMO?

As of 2026, the Secretary-General of IMO is Arsenio Dominguez of Panama.

He began his term on 1 January 2024.

How is IMO governed?

The IMO Assembly consists of all Member States and is the organization's highest governing body.

The IMO Council functions as its executive organ between Assembly sessions.

The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General and includes around 300 international staff based at the London headquarters.

Can you work at IMO headquarters?

Yes.

IMO recruits professionals in areas including maritime affairs, law, engineering, administration, finance, communications and technical cooperation.

It also offers internships and other career opportunities.

Conclusion

The IMO headquarters is located at 4 Albert Embankment in London, United Kingdom. IMO is the UN specialized agency responsible for international shipping safety, security and environmental regulation.

References

IMO – Contact Us
IMO – Structure
IMO – Careers
Wikipedia – International Maritime Organization