Jamaica has been re-elected to Category C of the International Maritime Organization Council, securing 129 votes, the highest number the country has ever received in an IMO Council election. The result follows a year-long campaign supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Jamaican High Commission in London, the Maritime Authority of Jamaica and the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, and strengthens Jamaica’s ability to represent the interests of the Caribbean, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries during the upcoming two-year term.

Foreign Minister, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, who led the Jamaican delegation to the 34th Assembly of the IMO, welcomed the outcome and said the strong level of support reflected Jamaica’s longstanding commitment to the work of the IMO. She said: “Next year marks fifty years since Jamaica joined the IMO, and we remain as committed today as we were at the start to promoting safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient and sustainable shipping. Over the years we have taken a balanced view of the positions of all members while ensuring that the interests of the Caribbean and SIDS are adequately represented.”

The Minister referenced the severe challenges Jamaica has faced this year following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic storms ever recorded, which struck the island on 28 October. Preliminary assessments estimate the damage at approximately US$8.8 billion, equivalent to 44% of Jamaica’s GDP last year. Despite this, Jamaica’s maritime sector demonstrated notable resilience, with the Port of Kingston reopening the day after the storm, the North Western Terminal resuming fuel operations within a week and cruise activity restarting at key northern ports shortly afterwards.

Reflecting on the wider significance, the Minister noted that the hurricane highlighted the lived reality of climate change for Small Island Developing States and reinforced the importance of Jamaica’s continued engagement at the IMO. She stated: “Hurricane Melissa has underscored the severe impact of climate change for countries like ours, who despite contributing minimally to global emissions bear a disproportionate burden from increasingly severe storms. Jamaica’s maritime sector has played a vital role in our relief and recovery efforts and will remain central to our ongoing economic resilience.”

Jamaica’s renewed term on the IMO Council will allow the country to continue contributing to the development and implementation of international maritime regulations. Category C membership ensures broad geographical representation on the Council and enables States that may not be among the world’s largest shipping or trading nations to participate fully in the IMO’s executive decision making.