INDIA RE-ELECTED TO IMO COUNCIL

Context

India was re-elected to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) with highest votes, for the year 2024-25.

About IMO Council

The IMO Council looks over the work of the IMO. There are 40 countries in the Council, and they get elected every two years by the Assembly. These countries are split into three groups: -

1. Category (a): Countries interested in giving international shipping services.
2. Category (b): Countries interested in international seaborne trade.

• India was re-elected in this category.

3. Category (c): Countries with special interests in maritime transport or navigation.

Role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO):

1. Regulating the shipping industry by creating fair and effective rules.
2. Setting standards for how ships should be designed, built, operated, and disposed of.
3. The IMO checks and investigates accidents that occur in international waters.
4. Promoting fair competition to create a fair and level playing field, without compromising on safety, security, and environmental standards.
5. Preventing marine pollution to keep waterways clean by stopping pollution from ships. It has set rules that ships shouldn't use fuel with too much sulfur. IMO’s MARPOL Convention (The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) is a key treaty to prevent and minimize pollution from shipping. IMO also adopted the London Dumping Convention and Protocol on the dumping of wastes and other matter at sea.
6. Combating sea robbery (piracy) and armed robbery. For this the IMO has adopted The International Convention for the Safety of Life (SOLAS Convention), 1974.

Challenges Faced by IMO	Solutions
Unequal say of Countries	Reconsider the funding mechanism. Ensure equal representation regardless of ship size.
Industry Influence	Increase diversity in advisory groups. Establish guidelines. Promote transparency in decision-making.
Lack of New Technology	Stay updated on emerging technologies. Establish specialized committees for advancing technology.
Political Problems	Encourage open dialogues. Resolve disagreements through diplomacy. Build majority decisions and negotiations.
Lack of R&D	Research and development needed. Explore various engine technologies.

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