The Bahamas is re-elected to the IMO Council

Left to right: Capt. Dwain Hutchinson – Managing Director & CEO, Peter John Goulandris – BMA Board Deputy Chairman, Jacqueline M Simmons – BMA Board Chairman, Hon Zane Lughtbourne – Minister in State Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources, H.E. Paul Rolle – Bahamas Ambassador to the IMO, Anthony Stuart – Senior Director The Bahamas Tourist Office-London, Allison P. Nortje – Special Adviser/Consultant to The Bahamas High Commission-London.

The Bahamas was successfully re-elected to the IMO Council for the period 2024- 2025. In a highly competitive campaign with 24 countries vying for 20 seats within category C, The Bahamas has reconfirmed its position as a global regulatory leader in shipping – a key driver in economic development for the world.

We are grateful and appreciative of the confidence that the IMO Member States have in The Bahamas where our collaborative approach, positive contribution and proactive engagement with the international regulatory process has been recognised by this election. The importance of the IMO to The Bahamas and its commitment to promoting sustainability in shipping is demonstrated by its appointment of a dedicated IMO Ambassador, H.E. Paul Rolle who coordinated the diplomatic efforts.  The competence, experience and dedication of the team from Ministry of Energy & Transport, led by Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Bahamas High Commission to the UK, Permanent Mission to the IMO, Bahamas Overseas Missions, Bahamas Maritime Authority and other Bahamas governmental agencies was not only  essential to this success but collectively ensures that The Bahamas as a Maritime Administration complies with, and achieves, the requirements of the international Conventions and Codes to which The Bahamas is party.

The IMO Council, which currently comprises a total of 40 Member States in all categories, is the executive organ of the IMO and is responsible for supervising the work of the IMO between sessions of the IMO Assembly.  The Bahamas has been an IMO member state since 1976 and has served on the IMO Council continuously since 1999.

Minister in State for Environment and Natural Resources Hon. Zane Lightbourne led The Bahamas delegation during the elections week, stressing The Bahamas’ commitment to climate change, the human factor, gender equality, and the implementation of technology aligned to achieving the United Nations sustainability development goals.  

The Minister further stated that collaboration and cooperation would be key tenets of The Bahamas’ membership as it aims to work with all stakeholders including shipowners and industry associations. Minister Lightbourne also had the pleasure of extending a warm welcome to IMO delegates who attended The Bahamas’ luncheon reception during the course of the week.

The Bahamas is a Small Island Country, Large Ocean Nation with maritime at the core of its success. Sitting on one of the world’s major shipping routes, it is a key regional energy and container transhipment hub and houses one of the largest shipyards in the region. It is one of the world’s largest ship registries and is a leader within the Caribbean maritime sector.  

The Bahamas is honoured to be re-elected to the IMO Council, a privilege that it takes very seriously.  It reaffirms its commitment to the IMO’s objective of safe, secure and efficient shipping on cleaner oceans and the Authority will be working hard on behalf of The Bahamas shipping industry and our shipowners to ensure those goals are achieved.

Left to right: Capt. Dwain Hutchinson – Managing Director & CEO, Jacqueline M Simmons – BMA Board Chairman, Gaynell Rolle – Acting Permanent Secretary Ministry of Energy & Transport, Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco – IMO Secretary General-elect , H.E. Paul Rolle – Bahamas Ambassador to the IMO. Hon Zane Lightbourne – Minister in State Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources