INMARSAT

Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organization, 1976

Adoption: 3 September 1976
Entry into force: 16 July 1979

IMSO link

History
New structure - 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
Links

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.

New structure - 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.

· 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 replaces Inmarsat as observer at IMO meetings. IMSO link

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.