The Maritime Authority of Jamaica has marked Jamaica’s 50th anniversary as a member of the International Maritime Organization with a call for Small Island Developing States to be fully represented in decisions shaping the next generation of global shipping rules, particularly as the IMO continues climate negotiations following its 2023 Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Strategy.

The anniversary was commemorated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Kingston under the theme “Jamaica and the IMO: 50 Years Advancing Safe, Secure and Sustainable Shipping”. Jamaica lodged its Instrument of Acceptance to the IMO Convention on May 11, 1976, and has since played an active role in international maritime governance.

For Jamaica, the stakes are national as well as international. More than 80 percent of its imports and exports move by sea, including energy supplies, motor vehicles, essential commodities and raw materials, while its marine territory is almost 24 times the size of its landmass. Safe shipping, secure supply chains and clean oceans are therefore central to the country’s economic resilience, disaster response and long term development.

Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, said: “For small-island developing states, and particularly for Jamaica, whose marine territory is almost twenty-four times its landmass, maritime affairs are not peripheral, they are existential.”

Permanent Secretary Kedesha Campbell Rochester, who delivered the official message on behalf of the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, highlighted the strategic importance of the maritime sector to Jamaica’s economy and said the country’s commitment to internationally accepted maritime standards is reflected in the ongoing revision of the National Transport Policy.

Jamaica’s 50 years at the IMO have been supported by major national reforms, including the passage of the Shipping Act in 1998, the establishment of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica and the strengthening of the country’s flag, port, coastal and seafarer supply obligations. The country also hosts the Secretariats of the Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control and the Women in Maritime Association Caribbean, supporting regional oversight, capacity building and inclusion.

The anniversary coincides with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica’s 25th year of service and highlighted the contribution of the Caribbean Maritime University, the only IMO recognised maritime training institution in the English speaking Caribbean. The ceremony also recognised Rear Admiral Peter Brady for his distinguished service to Jamaica’s maritime sector and marked the visit of the M/V Fortescue Green Pioneer, described at the event as the world’s first ammonia fuelled vessel.

Jamaica was first elected to the IMO Council in 2007 and has been returned for every subsequent biennium except 2017. At the November 2025 IMO Assembly elections, Jamaica secured 129 votes, the highest result in its Council election history, underscoring its standing as a representative voice for Caribbean and Small Island Developing State interests at the IMO.

Bertrand Smith, Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, said: “Jamaica, as a member of the IMO Council will remain committed to the ideals of the IMO and to ensuring that the interest of the Caribbean and SIDS are represented at the IMO.”

Jamaica has also served in senior technical roles at the IMO and as a Lead Partner Country on global projects covering greenhouse gas emissions from ships, invasive aquatic species and marine litter from transport and fisheries.

Bertrand Smith added: “We have much to celebrate and as we navigate the next 50 years Jamaica will continue to be a trusted partner in ensuring we have a safe, secure and sustainable shipping sector.”