The voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme: An accountability regime for states on maritime affairs

In this article, the issue of monitoring compliance of State obligations and responsibilities that are derived from them being parties to the various international maritime treaties adopted under the purview of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will be explored. The genesis of why monitoring compliance of State actors is now topical and the development of the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme in response thereto will be highlighted. The positive outcome of the audits conducted under the voluntary Scheme and the level of participation of Member States in the Scheme have now brought to the fore the need to consider developing a mandatory audit regime applicable to all Member States of the IMO. In this respect, this article will proffer a possible way forward for the further development of the Audit Scheme.