IMO

International Maritime Organization (IMO) came into being in 1958 as International Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO), and later, in 1982, became the IMO. It is a UN specialized agency responsible for safe, secure and efficient shipping and the prevention of pollution from ships. The IMO has 171 Member States and three Associate Members at the present time. Trade facilitation and security are areas of the IMO’s work that related to cross-border trade transactions.

IMO’s work related to trade facilitation

The purpose of this Convention is to facilitate maritime transport by simplifying and minimizing the formalities, documentary requirements and procedures associated with the arrival, stay and departure of ships engaged on international voyages. It was originally developed to meet growing international concern about excessive documents required for merchant ships.
The IMO’s Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) addresseds on maritime safety, however, after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the members of the IMO agreed to develop security measures for ships and ports. The result was a new chapter in the SOLAS Convention, and the approval of the International Ship and Port Facility Code (ISPS Code). ISPS Code lays down requirements with respect to maritime security in ports, on board ships and in shipping companies, and recommendations on ways in which these requirements shall be met.

Information on the role of the IMO on Facilitation can be found in this link.