25 November 2011

Singapore Re-elected Into The Council Of The International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
For Its Tenth Consecutive Term

Singapore has been re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for its 10th consecutive term. The election was held at the 27th Session of the IMO Assembly in London on 25 November 2011.

Singapore's membership to the IMO Council has enabled the Republic to contribute significantly towards advancing the efforts of the international maritime community to enhance navigational safety, promote efficient and sustainable shipping, and protect the marine environment. Singapore was first elected to the IMO Council in 1993 and has since been re-elected to the Council at subsequent biennial IMO Assemblies.

Following Singapore's successful re-election, Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Singapore's Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, who led the Singapore delegation - comprising officials from the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) - said, "Singapore is honoured to be re-elected to the IMO Council and is grateful for the support of our fellow IMO Member States. We are heartened that our contributions to the IMO over the years are valued and recognised by the international community. Singapore takes our responsibility as a Council member seriously and will continue to play an active role to contribute towards the IMO's goal of safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans."

An IMO Council Member since 1993, Singapore has contributed to, and played an active role in the IMO. Singapore has also had the honour of serving in various leadership positions in the IMO, such as the Chairman of the IMO Council for a two-year term between 2001 and 2003, Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases since 2001, Vice-Chairman of the Marine Environment Protection Committee, and Vice-Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping. Singapore is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Maritime Safety Committee.

Together with Indonesia and Malaysia, Singapore worked closely with the IMO to develop the Co-operative Mechanism on Safety of Navigation and Environmental Protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore under the IMO's "Protection of Vital Shipping Lanes" initiative in 2007. The Co-operative Mechanism advances international co-operation to keep the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, one of the most important waterways in the world, safe and open for international shipping.

The Council membership is for a term of two years. The next IMO Assembly will convene to re-elect the new Council Member States in 2013.

Media Backgrounder

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION (IMO)

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations for shipping. It was established in 1948 and is devoted exclusively to maritime matters. Its main objective is to facilitate cooperation among governments on technical matters affecting international shipping, such as maritime safety and prevention of pollution from ships. The IMO also deals with legal matters connected with international shipping and facilitation of international maritime traffic.

The principal organs of the IMO are the Assembly, the Council and five Committees. The IMO Assembly is held every two years. In between the Assembly sessions, the activities of the IMO are governed by the IMO Council. The IMO Council is composed of 40 members elected at the IMO Assembly. Membership is for two years and members are eligible for re-election. The next election will be held during the 28th IMO Assembly in November 2013 at IMO headquarters in London.

Elections are by secret ballot cast by representatives of IMO member countries attending the Assembly session. Each country has one vote for each Council seat contested.

As one of the world's busiest port in terms of shipping tonnage and container throughput, a littoral State of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, as well as the world's sixth largest ship registry, Singapore appreciates the multiple interests in international shipping and firmly believes that the IMO should be the sole regulator of international shipping.

Being a member of the IMO Council therefore allows Singapore to help ensure that the diverse views and interests of IMO Member States are taken into account in the work of the IMO. Council membership also allows Singapore to contribute its maritime expertise towards attaining the IMO's objective of "safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans"

Issued by the Ministry of Transport