In pursuit of maritime excellence and sustainable shipping, the Philippines presents its candidature for re-election to the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2022 to 2023 Biennium on 05 October 2021 via video conferencing.

The country’s re-election to the IMO Council under Category C will continually advance the mission of the IMO in ensuring safety of life and property at sea, sustainable shipping, and environmentally sound maritime industry.

Membership to the IMO Council provides the following: a) privilege to contribute to policy formulation and decision making processes of the IMO; b) continuously granted voting rights to IMO Council; c) a venue to promote Filipino seafarers, Philippine ship registry, shipbuilding and ship repair and other maritime industry in the global maritime world paving the way to more opportunities for Filipinos and the industry; and d) participation in the advancement of safer ships, welfare of the seafarers and protection of the marine environment.

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator, VAdm Robert A Empedrad AFP (Ret), led the said launching by highlighting the benefits of being a member of the IMO as well as our commitment to uphold our position to the IMO Council.

“Our membership to the IMO paved the way to opportunities that enhanced our knowledge and skills in promoting our ship registry, the welfare of our maritime professionals, and the sustainability of our marine environment and maritime transport,” VAdm Empedrad said.

“By virtue of our re-election to the IMO Council, we are afforded with a continued opportunity to strongly participate in policy-making processes affecting our maritime interest,” he added.

Moreover, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade underscored the country’s unwavering commitment in advancing the mission of the IMO of having safe, sustainable, and environmentally sound maritime transport and industry despite the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We remain committed to improving the safety and security at sea by promoting a green maritime environment, innovative ways to adapt to the ‘new normal’ through digitalization and upholding the rights and welfare of our Filipino seafarers,” Secretary Tugade emphasized.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. likewise conveyed the Philippines’ intention to maintain its steadfast partnership with IMO to all of its endeavors in making a safe, secure, well-paid, gender and environment-friendly shipping industry which began since the country’s membership in 1964.

On the other hand, the IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador Carlos C. Salinas expressed his appreciation for the country’s unceasing efforts to maintain its standing to the IMO Council despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, collaterals for the country’s candidature to the IMO Council under Category C were likewise presented during the said activity which was attended by private stakeholders, representatives from various Philippine government agencies and embassies from other countries.

The Philippines’ candidature to the IMO Council under Category C collaterals were made available at the following link: https://marina.gov.ph/ph-candidature-to-imo-council-c/

The collaterals, as well as other matters and updates regarding the Philippine maritime industry, are also available in the social media platforms of the MARINA:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DOTrMARINAPH
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DOTrMARINAPH
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dotrmarinaph/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MaritimeIndustryAuthority

The IMO Council is the executive organ responsible for supervising the work of the Organization. The IMO Council has three (3) categories namely Category A, Category B, and Category C where the Philippines is a party to.

Category A is composed of ten (10) States with the largest interest in providing international shipping services. While Category B is composed of ten (10) States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade. Category C, on the other hand, is composed of 20 States not elected under Categories (A) or (B), which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the Council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.

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