Adoption:
3 September 1976
Entry into force: 16 July 1979
IMSO link
History
IMSO created
Amendments to the Inmarsat Convention
The 1985 amendments - provision of services to aircraft
The 1989 amendments - provision of services to land-based vehicles
The 1994 amendments - name change to International Mobile Satellite
Organization, abbreviated to Inmarsat
The April 1998 amendments - restructuring, creation of IMSO
History
IMO recognised the potential for satellite communications to assist in distress
situations at sea soon after the launch of the world's first telecommunications
satellite, Telstar, in 1962.
In February 1966, IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) decided to study the
operational requirements for a satellite communications system devoted to maritime
purposes.
In 1973, IMO decided to convene a conference with the object of establishing
a new maritime communications system based on satellite technology.
The Conference first met in 1975 and held three sessions, at the third of which,
in 1976, the Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organization
was adopted, together with an Operating Agreement.
The Convention defines the purposes of Inmarsat as being to improve maritime
communications, thereby assisting in improving distress and safety of life at
sea communications, the efficiency and management of ships, maritime public
correspondence services, and radiodetermination capabilities.
The Organization consists of an Assembly, composed of all Parties to the Inmarsat
Convention; Council composed of 22 representatives of signatories; and a Directorate
headed by a Director-General. An Annex to the Convention outlines procedures
for the settlement of disputes.
The Operating Agreement set an initial capital ceiling for the Organization
of US$ 200 million. Investment shares were determined on the basis of utilization
of the Inmarsat space segment.Inmarsat, headquartered in London, began operations
in 1982.
Inmarsat's obligation to provide maritime distress and safety services via satellite
were enshrined within the 1988 amendments to SOLAS which introduced the Global
Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Ships sailing in specified sea
areas are required to carry Inmarsat communications equipment for distress and
safety calls and to receive navigational warnings. At present, the Inmarsat
system is the only mobile-satellite system recognized by SOLAS Contracting Governments
for use in the GMDSS.
IMSO created
In 1998, Inmarsat's Assembly of member Governments agreed to privatize Inmarsat
from April 1999. The new structure comprises two entities:
· Inmarsat Ltd - a public limited company which forms the commercial
arm of Inmarsat. The company has taken on all the commercial activities of Inmarsat
and is regulated by British law. It was completely privatised by the end of
2003.
· International Mobile
Satellite Organization (IMSO) - an intergovernmental body established
to ensure that Inmarsat continues to meet its public service obligations, including
obligations relating to the GMDSS. IMSO is an observer at IMO meetings.
IMSO is headquartered
in London and has 87 Member States. It aims to guarantee that services are provided
by Inmarsat Ltd. free from any discrimination and in a peaceful way to all persons
living or working in locations that are inaccessible to conventional, terrestrial
means of communication. IMSO also ensures that the principles of fair competition
are observed.
IMSO incorporates:
- the Assembly of Parties, which meets once every two years;
- a managing body, which ensures the correct operation of the organisation between meetings of the Assembly of Parties.
Amendments to the Inmarsat Convention
The Inmarsat Convention states Amendments should be considered and adopted by
the Inmarsat Assembly and that amendments enter into force 120 days after two-thirds
of States representing at least two-thirds of investment shares become Party
to the amendments
The 1985 amendments
Adoption: 16 October 1985
Entry into force: 13 October 1989
The amendments enabled Inmarsat to provide services to aircraft as well as ships.
The 1989 amendments
Adoption: 19 January 1989 by Inmarsat Assembly
Entry into force: 26 June 1997
The amendments enabled Inmarsat to provide services to land-based vehicles as
well as ships and aircraft.
The 1994 amendments
Adoption: 9 December 1994 by Inmarsat Assembly
Entry into force: 120 days after being accepted by two-thirds of Contracting
Parties representing two-thirds of the total investment share.
Status: see status of conventions
One of the amendments changed the name of the Organization to the International
Mobile Satellite Organization, abbreviated to Inmarsat. The change reflected
changes since the Organization was formed and the extension of its services
from the maritime sector to other modes of transport.
There were also changes to Article 13 on the composition of the Inmarsat Council.
The April 1998 amendments
Adoption: 24 April 1998 by Inmarsat Assembly
Entry into force: 120 days after being accepted by two-thirds of Contracting
Parties representing two-thirds of the total investment share.
Status: see status of conventions.
Amendments to the Inmarsat Convention and Operating Agreement to permit the
restructuring of Inmarsat.
Links
http://www.imso.org/home.htm
IMSO
International Mobile
Satellite Organization
99 City Road
London EC1Y 1AX
United Kingdom
Tel: 44 (0)20 7728
1249
Fax: 44 (0)20 7728 1172
E-mail: info@imso.org
