The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping. IMO has promoted the adoption of some 50 conventions and protocols and adopted several hundred recommendations dealing with maritime safety and security. Although recommendations—whether in the form of codes or otherwise—are not usually binding on Governments, they provide guidance in framing national regulations and requirements.

IMO works through a number of specialist committees and sub-committees. Each of these bodies is composed of representatives of member states. Pertinent is the Intersessional Maritime Security and Piracy Working Group of the Maritime Safety Committee, which has approved Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) circulars on the use of private security personnel on board ships. Information on this and other IMO work-product can be found below or on the IMO website.