IMO will be welcoming visitors to its Headquarters as part of London’s annual Open House Festival (6-17 September). This is the third time IMO has taken part in the initiative, which allows people access inside buildings around the city of architectural or cultural significance which are generally off-limits to the public.  

The IMO Headquarters building, located on London's Albert Embankment on the south bank of the River Thames, was purpose-built by the United Kingdom Government for the Organization during the 1970s. Its foundation stone was laid by the then Duke of Edinburgh in 1979. The building was formally opened in 1983 by the late Queen, Elizabeth II. Following a subsequent major refurbishment, it was reopened in 2008 by the Queen's cousin, the Duke of Gloucester. 

Those who wish to drop-in can do so on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September. Drop-in details are available on the Open House Festival website.  

As they arrive at the main entrance, visitors will see the striking seven-metre tall, ten-tonne bronze statue by Michael Sandle which was added to the front of the building in 2001. It depicts a lone seafarer keeping lookout on the prow of a merchant ship. 

Once inside, Open House visitors will be greeted with a video message from the Secretary-General, Kitack Lim, before taking a 30-to-45-minute self-guided tour of the building.  

Watch the Secretary-General's welcome video here.

From the fourth-floor roof terrace, visitors will be able to take in spectacular views of London along the Thames, looking across to the Houses of Parliament on the opposite bank and beyond.  

In the first floor Delegates’ Lounge a video will be shown explaining the structure and work of IMO, the only UN agency to be headquartered in London. There will be an impressive, curated exhibition of many of the model ships, from cruise liners to oil tankers and ferries to container ships, that are usually displayed around the building. Additionally, the SHE_SEES: Rewriting Women into Maritime (RWM) exhibition will be displayed, featuring stories of women in maritime – past, present and future. 

A children’s area which includes a giant jigsaw puzzle of the IMO logo will be found on the first floor. 

As they travel around the building, visitors will see a remarkable collection of artworks, sculptures, hangings and models that have been donated to IMO over the years 

On the ground floor visitors will be able to spend time in the main debating chamber where IMO’s 175 Member States hold their most important meetings to discuss the regulation of global shipping and how to protect the marine environment.  

IMO officials will be on hand on all floors to answer any questions.  

In 2019, close to 1,000 visitors toured the building across the two days.