The newly elected members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council will convene for their first session of the 2026-2027 term on December 4, 2025.
This 136th session will mark the official start for the Council, which was recently selected by the IMO Assembly.
The Council comprises members divided into three categories based on their interests and geographic representation. Category (a) includes the 10 States with the largest interest in providing international shipping services, such as China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Panama, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Category (b) consists of 10 States with significant stakes in international seaborne trade, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates.Category
(c) includes 20 States with special interests in maritime transport or navigation, ensuring representation from all major global regions. These include the Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, and Türkiye.
At the December 4 meeting, the Council will also elect its Chair and Vice-Chair for the biennium, setting the leadership to guide maritime policy and regulation through 2027.
This session is pivotal for shaping international maritime governance, reflecting the diverse and strategic interests of the world’s leading maritime nations.
