Russia was not elected to the top category a of the council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2026–2027 term, according to results published on the IMO’s official account on social media.
Russia’s Push to Rejoin IMO’s Leading Council Block Falls Short
Russia is absent from the list of states elected to category a, which is defined as bringing together countries with the “largest interest in providing international shipping services”, while Italy, the United States, Norway, South Korea, Panama, the United Kingdom, Japan, Liberia, China and Greece are included.
The vote took place during the 34th session of the IMO Assembly, which is being held in London from 24 November to 3 December, and was conducted by secret ballot.
Regaining a place in category a had been described as a key objective for the Russian delegation: in the previous 2024–2025 cycle Russia, for the first time in its history, lost its place in the top ten. In recent months the Russian side had carried out an active campaign to restore its position on the council, including meetings in London between representatives of the Russian maritime administration and the diplomatic corps, as well as a reception at the Russian embassy dedicated to supporting Russia’s candidacy.
Category a of the IMO council is the most influential grouping, with its members directly involved in shaping international maritime regulation, including issues of safety, environmental standards, technical requirements for fleets and the movement of cargo along key routes, and the council’s composition is set for two years.
The International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for developing and maintaining a regulatory framework for international shipping, including safety, security and environmental performance. It brings together member states to adopt conventions and other instruments that are then implemented through national legislation.
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Source: en.portnews
