Who is Responsible for Prohibiting the Use of Heavy Fuel Oil in the Arctic?

While it is possible for Arctic nations to individually phase out the use of HFO in their national waters, or even to agree to a regional phase-out by their own flagged ships, a comprehensive phase out on the use of HFO, that would have to be applied by all international shipping, must come from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency within the United Nations body responsible for improving maritime safety and preventing pollution from ships.