India Re-elected to IMO Council

Source: PIB

Subject: International Relations

Context: India has been re-elected to the IMO Council in Category B with the highest votes (154/169) for the 2026–27 term. This marks India’s second consecutive highest vote tally, reinforcing its rising maritime influence.

About India Re-elected to IMO Council:

• What is the IMO Council? The Council is the executive body of the International Maritime Organization, responsible for supervising its work between Assembly sessions and making policy decisions on maritime governance.

• The Council is the executive body of the International Maritime Organization, responsible for supervising its work between Assembly sessions and making policy decisions on maritime governance.

• Formation & Role:

• The Council is constituted under the IMO Convention (1958) and elected every two years by the Assembly. Category B includes 10 nations with the largest interest in international seaborne trade.

• The Council is constituted under the IMO Convention (1958) and elected every two years by the Assembly.

• Category B includes 10 nations with the largest interest in international seaborne trade.

• India’s Position:

• India secured 154/169 votes, highest in Category B.

• Category B Member States: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

• Functions of the IMO Council:

• Coordinates IMO’s administrative & financial functioning. Prepares agenda, work programmes, and strategic plans. Supervises implementation of maritime conventions. Facilitates cooperation on maritime safety, environmental regulation, digitalisation, security, etc.

• Coordinates IMO’s administrative & financial functioning.

• Prepares agenda, work programmes, and strategic plans.

• Supervises implementation of maritime conventions.

• Facilitates cooperation on maritime safety, environmental regulation, digitalisation, security, etc.

About the International Maritime Organization (IMO):

• History:

• Established by a UN Convention in 1948, came into force in 1958. First session held in 1959, marking the beginning of global maritime regulatory cooperation.

• Established by a UN Convention in 1948, came into force in 1958.

• First session held in 1959, marking the beginning of global maritime regulatory cooperation.

• Headquarters: London, UK.

• Aim: To ensure safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible shipping, while maintaining uniform global maritime standards to prevent unfair advantage.

• Major Functions:

• Formulates & updates global maritime conventions: SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, etc. Regulates ship design, construction, operation & disposal. Develops rules to prevent marine and air pollution from ships. Oversees global norms on seafarer training and certification. Promotes sustainable maritime transport aligned with SDG-14 (Life Below Water).

• Formulates & updates global maritime conventions: SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, etc.

• Regulates ship design, construction, operation & disposal.

• Develops rules to prevent marine and air pollution from ships.

• Oversees global norms on seafarer training and certification.

• Promotes sustainable maritime transport aligned with SDG-14 (Life Below Water).