The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), the Legal Committee (LEG) and the Facilitation Committee (FAL) of IMO cover issues related to maritime security, including piracy, as part of their agenda. In this respect, certain developments at the most recent sessions of these committees over the past year – relating to the effective implementation of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the International Ship and Port Facilities Security (ISPS) Code, combating piracy and armed robbery, requirements related to privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships, and enhancing maritime trade recovery in the event of large-scale emergencies – are worth noting.