The secretary general of the International Maritime Organisation, Kitack Lim joined the chorus of international tributes flowing in for Queen Elizabeth II, who died yesterday (Thursday, 8th September) at 96.

“Her genuine interest in shipping and maritime matters was remarkable,” Lim said in a statement.

Queen Elizabeth II was married for 74 years to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who was trained in the Royal Navy and served with distinction in several theatres of World War II.

The UK being the host country of the IMO, Lim said he had “the immense honour and privilege” to meet Elizabeth in person during her long reign.

The IMO held its first meeting in London in 1959 at Church House in central London. In 1983, it was the Queen herself who inaugurated the new IMO headquarters at Albert Embankment on the south bank of the Thames.

Prince Philip had laid the building’s foundation stone four years before.

For more Tradewinds reports on the response of the IMO which is a United Nations specialised agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of pollution by ships.

The IMO has 175 Member States in which Afloat adds the UK became a member in 1949 and Ireland joined two years later in 1951.

In addition the organization has three Associate Members.