IMO Council reaffirms commitment to protecting international shipping routes and seafarers

The IMO Council concluded its 138th session with decisions addressing maritime security, governance reforms, digital systems, gender equality and organizational leadership.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting international shipping routes and seafarers, while approving measures to strengthen the Organization’s governance, information systems and technical cooperation activities.

The Council held its 138th session at IMO headquarters in London from November 2 to 6, 2026. In his closing remarks on November 6, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez highlighted the decisions reached during the five-day meeting, including the condemnation of attacks on commercial shipping, approval of funding for digital projects and a recommendation to extend his mandate.

The IMO Council is the Organization’s executive governing body, responsible for supervising its work under the authority of the IMO Assembly, which comprises all Member States and serves as its highest governing body.

The Council currently consists of 40 Member States elected by the Assembly for two-year terms. Its main responsibilities include coordinating the work of IMO bodies, reviewing proposed work programs and budgets, overseeing administrative and financial matters, and recommending the appointment of the Secretary-General for Assembly approval.

Key outcomes of the 138th IMO Council session

According to the Secretary-General’s closing remarks, the Council reached the following outcomes:

• Reaffirmed the principles of resolution C.81(137), emphasizing that international straits and shipping lanes must remain open and safe. The Council condemned attacks against merchant vessels and seafarers in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, as well as attacks affecting Ukraine’s special maritime corridor in the Black Sea.
• Approved an initial allocation of £2 million from Technical Cooperation Fund reserves to advance improvements to IMO’s Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) and work on its e-learning platform.
• Approved revised Rules of Procedure intended to improve the conduct of Council business and potentially support the work of other IMO bodies.
• Approved amendments to IMO Staff Regulations, completing updated internal justice arrangements introduced on July 31, 2026.
• Endorsed the selection of Yu Jiajia of China as the recipient of the 2027 IMO Gender Equality Award and Gemma Griffin of Denmark for a Letter of Commendation. The award ceremony is scheduled for May 18, 2027.
• Reaffirmed support for the entry into force of the 2021 amendments to the IMO Convention, urging governments that have not accepted the amendments to do so, with the goal of entry into force by 2027.
• Recommended renewing Arsenio Dominguez’s appointment for a second four-year term, from January 1, 2028, to December 31, 2031, subject to approval by the IMO Assembly.

Maritime security and seafarer protection remain central concerns

The protection of commercial shipping and seafarers featured prominently in the Council’s discussions, as geopolitical conflicts continue to affect major international shipping routes.

The Council’s reaffirmation of resolution C.81(137) follows its July 2026 decision to protect vital shipping lanes, which emphasized navigational rights and freedoms for merchant vessels transiting international straits.

On vital shipping lanes, you reaffirmed the principles of resolution C.81(137): that straits and shipping lanes must remain open and safe, and that seafarers must be protected wherever they are and whatever their nationality.

… Dominguez said in his closing remarks.

The Secretary-General also referred to the Council’s condemnation of attacks against merchant vessels and crews in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, alongside attacks affecting Ukraine’s special maritime corridor in the Black Sea.

These concerns follow a joint submission by Ukraine and 34 other countries, calling for stronger international action to safeguard commercial navigation, seafarers and maritime infrastructure in the region.

Meanwhile, Dominguez expressed concern over the continued loss of seafarers’ lives, referring to the November 5 attack on the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Velos Sapphire.

The Filipino seafarer is the 25th casualty among seafarers since the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz began.

… the IMO Secretary-General highlighted, referring to the seafarer killed in the attack.

The incident underscores the continuing security risks facing vessels and crews operating in the Strait of Hormuz, where attacks on commercial shipping have raised concerns over freedom of navigation and seafarer welfare.

Dominguez confirmed that he would maintain engagement with relevant stakeholders and international organizations, monitor developments and report back to the Council at its next session.

At the same time, I will examine what additional concrete measures both I, as Secretary-General, and this Organization can take to help prevent further loss of life and alleviate the human cost of this crisis.

… he added.

Digital improvements and organizational reforms

Beyond maritime security, the Council advanced measures intended to strengthen IMO’s administrative and technical capabilities.

The approved £2 million allocation will support improvements to GISIS, IMO’s information platform for collecting and sharing shipping-related data, alongside the development of its e-learning platform. The GISIS initiative builds on previous efforts to strengthen maritime information exchange.

Meanwhile, the Council’s renewed call for acceptance of the 2021 amendments to the IMO Convention reflects ongoing efforts to make the Organization’s governance more representative.

As previously outlined in the proposed Council reforms, the amendments would increase the number of Council seats from 40 to 52, extend members’ terms and recognize Arabic, Chinese and Russian as additional authentic texts of the IMO Convention.

The amendments require formal acceptance by two-thirds of IMO Member States before entering into force.

Leadership and gender equality

The Council also addressed leadership continuity and recognition of contributions to gender equality.

Its recommendation to extend Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez’s mandate through 2031 remains subject to approval by the IMO Assembly.

You decided to recommend the renew my mandate as Secretary-General for a further four-year term to the next regular session of the Assembly.

… Dominguez stated, thanking Council members for their confidence. The wording reflects the Secretary-General’s published closing remarks.

In addition, the Council endorsed the 2027 IMO Gender Equality Award for Yu Jiajia, a teaching chief mate and instructor at Dalian Maritime University in China, recognizing her contributions to maritime education and gender equality.

Gemma Griffin of Denmark was also selected for a Letter of Commendation.

source : safety4sea