Russia failed on Friday to secure a seat on the IMO Council despite urging countries to back its nomination for a seat it lost in 2023.
In a significant development, Russia’s attempt to rejoin the International Maritime Organization’s council was thwarted on Friday, failing to secure the necessary votes for its candidacy.
During the IMO’s 34th Assembly session, delegates vote on November 28 to elect members of the IMO’s Council for the 2026-2027 biennium.
The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization.
The outcome is another blow for Russia which also failed to secure enough support the last years following its invasion of Ukraine.
Competing against other candidates, including the United States and China, Russia was the sole nation excluded from the category (a) focused on states with “the largest interest in providing international shipping services.”
The Assembly’s role is to elect the new 40-members of the Council for the 2026-2027 biennium across categories (a), (b) and (c).
The candidatures were in total 48: 11 from category (a), 11 from category (b), and 26 from category (c).
The IMO body tweeted on Friday that the Assembly elected China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and United States of America to be members of the Council for the 2026-2027 biennium Category (a).
For Category (b) 10 states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade were elected: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and United Arab Emirates.
The Category (c) includes 20 states not elected under (a) or (b), 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, Turkey.
Ukraine vocally opposed Russia’s candidacy, citing Russia’s impact on global shipping safety.
«Russia’s failure to be elected to the IMO Council is a victory for international law. The international community has clearly shown the aggressor its place – outside the framework of civilised, democratic decision-making,” stated vice prime minister for Ukraine’s recovery and minister for communities and territories development Oleksii Kuleba.
The Ukrainian delegation working on the sidelines of the 34th IMO Assembly, represented by the first deputy minister Alona Shkrum and deputy minister Andrii Kashuba.
During the Assembly, the Ukrainian side presented member states with a detailed argumentation saying that, “Russia’s actions are not compatible with the principles of international maritime law and with the status of a Council member.”
Swedish minister for infrastructure and housing Andreas Carlson took part in the 34th session of the IMO Assembly in London, where Sweden was elected to the IMO Council. During his address to the Assembly, Carlson emphasised Sweden’s long-term commitment to sustainable and competitive shipping.
“Sweden has a long tradition as a maritime nation. As a Member of the IMO Council, Sweden will promote competitive and sustainable shipping. As the host country of the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden continues to be a strong proponent of effective and inclusive international regulatory development,” said Mr Carlson.
The newly elected Council will meet for its 136th session on December 4 and will elect its chair and vice-chair for the next biennium.
