Singapore Secures Re-Election To International Maritime Organisation Council

On December 1, Singapore achieved a successful 16th consecutive re-election to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) council during the 33rd session of the IMO assembly in London.

The Singapore delegation, led by Senior Minister of State for Transport Amy Khor and consisting of officials from the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and Maritime and Port Authority, participated in the assembly. Acting Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat expressed gratitude to fellow IMO member states for their support, emphasizing Singapore’s honour in securing re-election.

Singapore initially gained a position on the IMO council in 1993 and has consistently secured re-election in subsequent assemblies. The IMO, a specialized agency under the United Nations focusing on shipping, was established in 1948. With a membership exceeding 175 states, its primary purpose is to foster collaboration among governments on technical issues related to global shipping, including maritime safety and the prevention of ship-generated pollution. Additionally, the IMO addresses legal aspects associated with international shipping and promotes the facilitation of international maritime traffic.

During its tenure on the IMO council, Singapore, boasting the world’s fifth-largest ship registry, has actively assumed leadership roles and advocated for efficient and sustainable shipping, according to the Ministry of Transport (MOT). The 33rd session of the IMO assembly took place from November 27 to December 1.

In her address, Dr Khor, who also serves as the Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, emphasized the importance of close and inclusive collaboration among the IMO, its member states, and all maritime stakeholders. She called for collective efforts to ensure that innovations, safety measures, security enhancements, digitalization, and decarbonization benefit the entire maritime industry. Dr. Khor reiterated Singapore’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with fellow member states to advance the IMO’s goals, particularly in accelerating the transition of the maritime sector toward a sustainable and digitalized future.

Dr Khor affirmed that Singapore remains committed to contributing to the development of human capital and upholding the essential aspects of maritime safety and security. During the assembly, she held discussions with Mr. Kitack Lim, the Secretary-General of the IMO, and Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, the Secretary-General-elect of the IMO and the Director of the IMO’s Marine Environment Division.

In a Facebook post on December 1, Dr Khor mentioned that the discussions revolved around how IMO member states, including Singapore, can continue to support the organization’s work, particularly in areas such as sustainability and capacity development.

Furthermore, Dr Khor engaged in additional meetings on the sidelines of the assembly, including discussions with transport counterparts from various countries. This included meetings with Christos Stylia Nides, the Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, and Budi Karya Sumadi, the Indonesian Minister for Transport.