IMO Council Candidates (2026-2027)

The Assembly, at its thirty-fourth session, will elect 40 Members of the Council as provided for in Articles 16 and 17 of the IMO Convention.

Total number of candidatures received to date: 


Category (a): 

Category (b): 3

Category (c): 11


Category (a): 10 States with the largest interest in providing international shipping services (listed in alphabetical order):


Category (b): 10 States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade:

  • Australia
  • Brazil
  • United Arab Emirates



Category (c): 20 States not elected under (a) or (b) above 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:

  • Belgium

  • Cyprus

  • Finland

  • Indonesia

  • Jamaica

  • Malaysia

  • Pakistan

  • Qatar

  • Saudi Arabia

  • South Africa

  • Thailand



The current Council Members elected at IMO Assembly (27 November-6 December 2023) for the 2024-2025 biennium:

Category (a): 10 States with the largest interest in providing international shipping services (listed in alphabetical order)

  • China

  • Greece

  • Italy

  • Japan

  • Liberia

  • Norway

  • Panama

  • Republic of Korea

  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

  • United States


Category (b): 10 States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade:

  • Australia

  • Brazil

  • Canada

  • France

  • Germany

  • India

  • Netherlands (Kingdom of the)

  • Spain

  • Sweden 

  • United Arab Emirates


Category (c): 20 States not elected under (a) or (b) above 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

  • Bangladesh

  • Chile

  • Cyprus

  • Denmark

  • Egypt

  • Finland

  • Indonesia

  • Jamaica

  • Kenya

  • Malaysia

  • Malta

  • Mexico

  • Morocco

  • Peru

  • Philippines

  • Qatar

  • Saudi Arabia 

  • Singapore

  • Türkiye

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