Island nation extends its long maritime history by once again being elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The appointment was announced at the 27th Session of the IMO Assembly in London.

NASSAU, The Bahamas–The Bahamas was successful in its bid for election to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) under Category C, at the 27th Session of the IMO Assembly in London November 21-30, 2011, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.

Category C is open to those 20 states that have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.

The Bahamas exemplifies the highest credentials in each of these areas, according to the IMO.

Paul Farquharson, Bahamas high commission and permanent representative to the IMO headed a Bahamian delegation to the IMO Assembly. He was accompanied by Ian Fair, chairman of The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA); Peter Goulandris, vice chairman, BMA; and commodore Davy Rolle, BMA director and chief executive officer.

The Bahamas served on the council from 1991 to 1995 and again from 1999 to the present, and has actively participated in the work of the council during these periods.

“The Commonwealth of The Bahamas remains committed to the legal and normative framework governing maritime transport and safety, and has thus acceded to all of the major IMO Conventions, as well as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and relevant International Labour Organisation Conventions,” the ministry said.

In his address to the session, Fair highlighted the fact that The Bahamas has a long and distinguished history as a maritime nation and maintains good standing among the international maritime community.

“The Bahamas accommodates 56-million gross tons on its ship registry, with cruise ships making up nine per cent.” he said. “The Bahamas is justly proud of its Port State Control (PSC) record, with the country being on the white list of every PSC Memorandum of Understanding.”

“The Bahamas highly values her membership in the IMO. The Bahamas will thus continue to work constructively with all members of this organisation in pursuit of the goals of the assembly,” added Fair.