India re-elected to the IMO Council

India, which ranks 11th amongst major shipbuilding countries in the world, has been re-elected unopposed to the Council of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for two years.
"India has had the privilege of being elected to and serving the Council of the IMO, ever since it started functioning, and till date, except for two years for the period 1983-1984. Presently, India is in the Category-B, of the Council of the IMO, representing nations with the largest interest in international seaborne trade," Shipping Ministry has said.
IMO Council, which acts as the IMO's Governing Body. Has a crucial role to play in deciding various important matters in relation to the global shipping industry, the organisation's work programme strategy and budget.

Members of the Council consist of 40 member states, elected by its Assembly including 10 members in category A with the largest interest in providing international shipping services; 10 members in category B with the largest interest in international seaborne trade and 20 members in category C with special interests in maritime transport or navigation.
India has been one of the earliest members of the IMO, having ratified its Convention and joined it as a member-state, in the year 1959.
India ranks amongst the top 20 ship-owning countries of the world, in terms of gross tonnage [GT], as well as deadweight tonnage.

The Ministry said India has always been taking keen interest in the activities of the international/UN specialised bodies such as the IMO and ILO on issues concerning the promotion and facilitation of balanced and accelerated maritime transport.
It has till date acceded to/ratified about 36 of the Conventions/Protocols adopted by the IMO and 6 of them are under consideration for the purpose, it said.
The IMO is the United Nations specialised agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.