KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has been re-elected to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the sixth consecutive term.
It was re-elected at the 29th IMO General Assembly held in London.
Transport Minister Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the nation was greatly honoured to be re-elected by IMO Member States as this reflects recognition for the importance of Malaysia’s role in international shipping and particularly in the IMO.
“Malaysia has been a Member of IMO since 1971, with the honour of serving as a Member of IMO’s Council for five consecutive terms,” he said in a statement today.
“As a seafaring nation with substantial interests in marine transportation, Malaysia is committed to active participation in the IMO.
Liow said the Straits of Malacca is an important conduit for international shipping and one of the busiest shipping routes in the world with more than 25 per cent of global trade transported and more than 80,000 vessels transiting annually.
“Malaysia plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the Straits and the protection of its marine environment, he adds.
He adds that Malaysia has been ranked in the top 30 in terms of its international shipping fleet with a tonnage of 7.16 million and with more than 50,000 seafarers.
“Malaysia also has several major ports involved in international trade, handling a total of more than 500 million tonnes of cargo. In fact, two of our ports consistently rank among the top 20 busiest ports in the world,” he said.
Since its inception in 1948, the IMO has been the standard bearer for safety, security and environmental protection in international shipping.
The IMO is responsible for creating a regulatory framework for international shipping with the noble objective to ensure safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans.