1954:  International Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO)
            - International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil
              (1962, 1969 and 1971 revisions).

1960:  International Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) 
            - International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

1967:  Maritime accident of T/S Torrey Canyon - 120,000 tons of crude oil spilled.

1969:  International Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO)
            - International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage.
            - International Convention relating to Intervention on the High Seas
              in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties.
 
1971:  International Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO)
            - International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund
              for Compensation for Oil Poillution Damage

1972:  United Nations - Stockholm Conference
            - Declaration on the Human Environment.

1972:  International Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO)
            - Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes
              and Other Matter

1973:  International Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO)
           - International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.

1976:  United Nations
            - Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea
              Against Pollution.

1978:  Maritime accident of T/S Amoco Cadiz - 220,000 tons of crude oil spilled.

1979:  The late Greek ship owner George P. Livanos, a dynamic personality within the Greek and the international maritime community, expresses his worries for the pollution of the seas due to ship operations. “Although ship generated marine pollution is only a small percentage of the marine pollution” he declares that “it is one that can virtually be eliminated by the people of shipping, seafarers and ship owners, with sufficient care and effort”.

1982:  On June, 4 the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association, HELMEPA, is born in Piraeus, when representatives of the Union of Greek Shipowners and the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation cosign the Declaration of Voluntary Commitment “To Save the Seas”. Five international organizations recognized for their efforts for the protection of the environment also sign the Declaration.

1983:  International Maritime Organization (IMO)
            - On October 1 the International Convention MARPOL 73/78 and
               two of its Annexes come into force.