PH secures seat in IMO Council reelection

THE Philippines continues to hold its position among major maritime nations as it secured reelection in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council last Dec. 1, 2023, at the IMO Headquarters in London.

The Philippines was reelected under Category C for the 2024-2025 biennium during the 3rd Session of the IMO Assembly.

It received 136 votes from the IMO Member States, elevating its rank from 16th in 2021 to 7th this year.

Category C is composed of 20 states that have special interest in maritime transport or navigation, and whose election to the Council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista emphasized the nation's commitment to contributing to the maritime industry.

«We believe our reelection will allow us to continue contributing to the maritime industry, not just as a top provider of top-caliber seafarers, but also at promoting safe and secure shipping operations, geared towards growth, modernization, resiliency, and sustainability,» Bautista said.

In his candidature statement, Ambassador Teodoro Locsin Jr. emphasized gender equality and the Philippines' commitment to promoting the empowerment and growing role of women in the maritime industry.

Even as the majority of the sector lauded this achievement, a group of industry stakeholders expressed dissatisfaction over the country's reelection to a category that it has been holding since 1997.

The Association of Licensed Manning Agencies (ALMA) Maritime Group clarified these concerns.

Iris Baguilat, chairman of ALMA, said the «category» signifies different classifications of maritime nations.

«It is not a hierarchy of importance with Category C being the least,» she said.

Baguilat explained that the Categories are classifications that highlight the primary maritime interests of a country.

«Category A is for owning significant vessel tonnage; it is about ship owning. Category B is about having a substantial cargo volume; it is about the quantity of imported and exported cargo. Category C is for maritime services, labor included.

»This [reelection] highlights our primary maritime interest, given our current significance on manpower rather