#Bahamas, December 22, 2017 – Nassau – The Bahamas secured re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2018-2019 biennium, during the 30th Assembly of the Organization.
“The Bahamas re-election represents a significant achievement not only for the nation, but also regionally for the Caribbean and globally for Small Island Development States for whom The Bahamas will strive to ensure equal representation during the international meetings,” Minister of Transport and Local Government the Hon. Frankie Campbell said during a press conference at the Ministry, Monday, December 18.
“Council representation enables The Bahamas to be at the forefront of the decision making on the issues that will impact all industry stakeholders, including our ship owners, and the importance of this role from the regulatory process is immeasurable,” Minister Campbell added.
The IMO is the United Nations specialised agency for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of maritime pollution by ships. The IMO Council is the executive organ of the IMO and is responsible under the Assembly for supervising the work of the Organization.
The Bahamas has the world’s seventh largest shipping Register with over 1,560 ships, consisting of almost 60 million gross tons. The country remains the flag of choice for cruise ships with the world’s largest cruise liners flying its flag.
The Transport Minister said the process to garner support and confidence of the voting IMO member states was a Bahamian inter-agency collaborative effort undertaken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transport, Local Government and The Bahamas Maritime Authority.
The Bahamas has served on the IMO Council from 1991 to 1995 and from 1999 to the present and will now serve through to 2019.
Press Release: BIS
Photo Caption: Minister of Transport and Local Government the Hon. Frankie Campbell announced that The Bahamas secured re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2018-2019 biennium, during the 30th Assembly of the Organization. He is surrounded by Members of The Bahamas Maritime Association and staff of the Ministry.
(BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)
