The Bahamas has secured re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, Category C, during the 34th Session of the IMO Assembly in London last week, beating out 26 other candidates for one of the coveted seats.

In a statement, the government said The Bahamas remains committed to strengthening cooperation with the IMO Secretariat, member states and maritime partners as it continues work to uphold high standards of maritime safety, environmental protection, and the welfare and development of seafarers.

The country has sat on the Council since 1999 and is consistently ranked among the world’s top ten ship registries — a position officials say reflects its long-standing credibility and influence within the global maritime sector.

Energy and Transport Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davies led the Bahamian delegation to the Assembly. She was accompanied by Paul Rolle, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the IMO; Kingsley Smith, Parliamentary Secretary; Peter John Goulandris, Deputy Chairman of The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA); Captain Dwain Hutchinson, BMA Managing Director and CEO; and Senior Commander Berne Wright, Bahamas Port Controller.

With a renewed term on the IMO Council, the government said The Bahamas is positioned to continue advocating for equitable global maritime decision-making, especially on issues affecting small island developing states, least developed countries, vessels, and seafarers.