Could anyone tell me the relationship between UNCLOS and relevant IMO and ILO conventions with particular reference to maritime safety maritime pollution port state control and seafarers' matters?

Answer 1

UNCLOS is acknowledged to be an "umbrella convention" because most of its provisions,being of a general kind, can be implemented only through specific operative regulations in other international agreements. This is reflected in several provisions of UNCLOS which require States to "take account of", "conform to", "give effect to" or "implement" the relevant international rules and standards developed by or through the "competent international organization" (i.e. IMO). The latter are variously referred to as "applicable international rules and standards", "internationally agreed rules, standards, and recommended practices and procedures", "generally accepted international rules and standards", "generally accepted international regulations", "applicable international instruments" or "generally accepted international regulations, procedures and practices".