Australia has successfully retained its seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council following a highly contested election last week.

The elections were held during the 27th session of the IMO General Assembly in London, with the Secretary-General of the IMO, Mr Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, making the announcement on Friday 25 November.

The IMO is the United Nations specialised agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the organisation. 

Australia’s re-election, to Category C of the Council, recognises the outstanding commitment of Australia to the activities of the IMO, and to the enhancement of maritime cooperation not only in the Asia-Pacific region, but internationally.

In Australia’s election statement, HE Mr John Dauth AO LVO, Australia’s Permanent Representative to the IMO and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, spoke about Australia’s leading role in the international maritime community.

“The Australian Government has long recognised that the safety and security of international shipping is vital to global prosperity. 

“Australia is a founding member of the IMO and has actively participated in the development of IMO instruments for more than 60 years. We are supportive of the IMO as an organisation that responds to new challenges. We are also supportive of the engagement of emerging maritime states and strongly encourage their participation at all IMO meetings,” Mr Dauth said.

In addition to Mr Dauth, five other delegates represented Australia at the 27th General Assembly and Council election: Mr Anthony Hogan, Australia’s Alternate Permanent Representative to the IMO; Mr Brad Groves, General Manager Maritime Standards Division, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA); Mr Andrew Wilson, Deputy Secretary, Department of Infrastructure and Transport; Ms Nicole Cosgrove, Principal Policy Advisor, AMSA; and Ms Claire Murray; Second Secretary, Australian High Commission.

As the largest island nation in the world, Australia’s maritime responsibilities are vast.

More than 23,000 port visits are made to Australian shores each year by ships carrying goods and commodities - these ships bear 99 per cent of Australia’s imports and exports and represent 10 per cent of world seaborne trade.

Australia’s territorial waters are the third largest in the world and cover all five of the world’s ocean temperature zones. Our search and rescue area covers one-tenth of the earth’s surface, making it the second largest in the world. 

This level of responsibility is mirrored by Australia’s participation in, and commitment to, the IMO.

Australia is very proud to have been re-elected to the IMO Council, and will work with other Members States to ensure the IMO continues to grow and prosper.

The full list of Council members for the 2012-13 biennium, with details of the three Member State categories, is available on the IMO website.

Australian delegation to the IMO. Back row (L-R) Mr Anthony Hogan, Mr Andrew Wilson, Ms Claire Murray and Ms Nicole Cosgrove. Front row (L-R) Mr Brad Groves and HE John Dauth AO LVO.


HE John Dauth AO LVO delivers Australia's election statement.


Mr Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, Secretary-General of the IMO, opens the 27th IMO General Assembly. Courtesy of the IMO.


IMO Headquarters, London.


Seafarers' Memorial at IMO Headquarters, London.