The International Maritime Prize is an award granted by the International Maritime Organization to individuals or Non-governmental organizations that "have made the most significant contribution to the work and objectives of IMO."[1] The prize is usually awarded annually by the IMO Council. Even though it is possible for the Council not to grant the award if no suitable candidate has been nominated, this has never happened since the award has been offered for the first time in 1980. Nominations for the prize can only be made either by governments of states that are members of the IMO, by organizations, bodies and programmes that are part of the United Nations, by intergovernmental organizations which signed an agreement of co-operation with the IMO or by non-governmental international organizations enjoying consultative status.[2] It is also possible that the prize be awarded posthumously.