India Re-elected to IMO Council for 2026

New Delhi:

Port Wings News Network:

India has been re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), London, in Category B, comprising 10 countries with the largest interest in international seaborne trade.

India secured the highest number of votes in the category, receiving 154 out of 169 valid votes cast during the elections held on 28 November 2025 at the 34th Session of the IMO Assembly.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, expressed his delight on the achievement, stating: “A proud moment for India’s maritime sector! India has been re-elected to the IMO Council for the 2026–27 biennium with the highest tally of votes in the category of countries with the largest interest in international seaborne trade. This resounding mandate reaffirms the global community’s trust in Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s vision for a safe, secure and green maritime domain.”

India’s highest vote tally reflects the international community’s strong confidence in India’s constructive leadership in global shipping. It also reaffirms the success of India’s maritime growth agenda under the Prime Minister’s vision. The result further validates the Government of India’s sustained reforms and forward-looking initiatives to strengthen the maritime sector.

The achievement comes soon after the successful organisation of India Maritime Week 2025, which saw participation from over 100 countries.

The IMO Council consists of 40 elected members across three categories and functions as the executive body of the IMO between sessions of the Assembly. On the sidelines of the Assembly, the Indian delegation engaged with several countries, international organisations and IMO officials on cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

This is the second consecutive biennium in which India has secured the highest tally in Category B—reaffirming the nation’s commitment to the Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047, guided by the Prime Minister and steered by Sarbananda Sonowal along with the Minister of State Shantanu Thakur.

India continues to strengthen its global position in the maritime sector by advancing sustainable, safe, secure and smart shipping and contributing to the growth of the global maritime ecosystem.

The IMO Assembly has elected the following Member States to serve on three categories of the IMO Council.

The newly elected Members will meet for the 136th session of Council on 4 December 2025.

Category (A): 10 States with the largest interest in providing international shipping services:

China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and United States of America.

Category (B): 10 States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade: 

Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Netherlands (Kingdom of the), Spain, Sweden, and United Arab Emirates.

Category (C): 20 States not elected under (a) or (b) above, 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: 

Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, and Türkiye.

The newly elected Council will meet for its 136th session on 4 December and will elect its Chair and Vice-Chair for the next biennium. 