Pledges to offer leadership, commitment, strategic focus by continuing role as member

Jamaica is seeking a second consecutive term as a Council member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations specialised agency responsible for the safety, security and pollution control of the global shipping industry.

Announcing Jamaica’s candidature for re-election to Category C of the IMO Council for 2022-2023, Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared that, “Jamaica will continue to offer leadership, commitment and strategic focus as an IMO Council member. It is of utmost importance that maritime concerns of particular importance to the Caribbean, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and other vulnerable countries, particularly the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), be fully aired and addressed in the IMO.”

Underscoring the importance that Jamaica as a nation attaches to its maritime sector, Holness remarked that, “Jamaica has been an active member of the IMO Council since 2007 and our decision to present our candidature for the 2022-2023 period is based on the firm belief that we can continue to contribute to the work of the organisation”.

He said Jamaica’s candidature is an important signal of its maritime status and reputation at the international level.

Elections to be held this December

Elections to the Council will be held during the 32nd Regular Session of the IMO Assembly this December in London and Jamaica has placed the welfare of seafarers, protection of the marine environment, gender diversity and the safety and security of seagoing vessels at the top of its re-election agenda. Jamaica has been a Council member of the IMO since 2007.

Holness added that Jamaica’s continued membership at Category ‘C’ level would enhance its capacity to promote more effective implementation of maritime safety and pollution prevention regulations at the national level as well as among other Caribbean states, SIDS and LDCs. In its election submission, Jamaica outlined the work it has done in mitigating the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the global shipping industry and underlined its commitment to supporting the IMO’s efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions from shipping and port operations.

The country is a leading light in promoting seafarer training and has placed female empowerment and women in maritime at the centre of its operations.

The prime minister explained that, “Jamaica continues to have faith in the value of multilateralism and the importance of strengthening global institutions. Every State has a role to play in confronting the challenges we face as a global community”.

He argued that this is what continues to inspire Jamaica to engage in and contribute to the multilateral process and, in particular, the work of the International Maritime Organization. Holness emphasised that, as a small-island state, shipping is essential to Jamaica’s import and export trade.

Highly developed maritime infrastructure in Jamaica

According to the prime minister, “we have progressively built up over the years, a highly developed maritime infrastructure comprising container, cruise and bulk cargo ports, maritime administration and ship registration, as well as the training of seafarers and shipping personnel. Kingston harbour is the seventh largest natural harbour in the world and Jamaica is the second largest transshipment hub in the Caribbean region. In 2020, Jamaica was once again recognized as the World’s Leading Cruise Destination at the World Travel Awards”.

Jamaica continues to serve on the IMO’s panel of competent persons established under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers. The country has demonstrated its commitment to the IMO Audit Scheme and was audited in 2011.

Jamaica has also supported the implementation of the scheme through the provision of auditors and lead auditors for the conduct of audits of member states and stands ready to assist other states in the region in their preparations. Jamaica was a lead partnering country under the IMO supported GloBallast Partnership Project and holds the position of vice chairman of the Task Force for the Wider Caribbean Region.

In 2017, Jamaica acceded to the Ballast Water Management Convention, 2004 which has been incorporated in national legislation.