The government is to seek approval from the People’s Majlis for Maldives to join the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO).

The decision was reached by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih following a Cabinet Meeting held on Tuesday.

The decision was based around deliberations on a paper submitted by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation at Tuesday’s cabinet meeting.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), which the Maldives is a member of, passed the Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organization in 1967.

Established under the treaty as the inter-governmental body that oversees certain satellite-based maritime distress communication services, particularly those used in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), IMSO facilitates the operation of the Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) System to provide for the global identification and tracking of ships to enhance the security of shipping and for safety and marine environment protection.

Adopted in 1974, International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) mandates countries party to the treaty to implement the GMDSS and LRIT systems.