IMO Council Reaffirms Commitment To Freedom Of Navigation And Seafarer Safety

IMO Council defends freedom of navigation, international law and safety of seafarers.

The Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) concluded its 137th session (6 – 10 July) by reaffirming the importance of preserving navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law.

In a resolution adopted during the session, the Council stressed that the right of transit passage through straits used for international navigation should not be threatened, impeded, denied, hampered, impaired or suspended.

In addition, the Council reiterated that any measures taken by coastal States to regulate traffic in vital shipping lanes should be done with accordance with IMO regulations under the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

Strait of Hormuz

With regards to the ongoing challenges facing international shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, the Council condemned the attacks on civilian commercial ships and called for the de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East region.

The Council stressed that any arrangement between the littoral States of the region shall guarantee the non-discriminatory and unimpeded right of transit passage of all ships, through the internationally recognised traffic separation scheme adopted by IMO in 1968.

The Council reaffirmed that passage through the Strait should remain free of any tolls and charges, in accordance with international law, including the IMO Convention.

It requested the Secretary-General to explore options that advance safe maritime traffic and to work with littoral States, other Member States and the industry to ensure a coordinated and sustainable return to unhindered navigation through the Strait.

Cooperative mechanism for Straits of Malacca and Singapore

The Council noted the information shared Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore on their experience in co-managing the Straits of Malacca and Singapore through a “Cooperative Mechanism” that brings governments and industry together to share the burden.

The Council invited interested Member States and other stakeholders to consider making financial or in-kind contributions to the mechanism’s two funds – the Aids to Navigation Fund and the IMO Straits of Malacca and Singapore Trust Fund to support the Co-operative Mechanism.

Other key decisions

Annual report

The Council approved the Organization’s annual report for 2025: Annual Report

Financial report

Assessed contributions from Member States remains the Organization’s most important source of funding. The assessment collection rate of 99.10% in 2025 is among the highest in the United Nations system.

The Organization delivered a strong financial performance in 2025. Total revenue increased by 2.97% to £77.96 million, driven by a growth in publication and cafeteria sales, and assessed contributions.

Managing risk

The Council approved the updated Risk Management Policy and its new Strategic Fraud Risk Management Annex, giving the Organization clearer tools to manage risk and reinforcing IMO’s zero-tolerance approach to fraud and corruption.

IMSAS update

The Council welcomed the successful completion of the first audit cycle of the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS). Since the commencement of mandatory audits in February 2016, 168 audits of 165 Member States and three Associate Members had been conducted.

Of the five audits scheduled for 2026, three have been completed (Belarus, Haiti and Mozambique) with the remaining two (Eritrea and Yemen) progressing as planned.

The Council encouraged audited Member States to authorize the Secretariat to release their audit reports to the public, including the audit final report, for full transparency.

Non-governmental organizations

The Council granted consultative status to the following non-governmental organizations:

• International Electric Marine Association (IEMA)
• Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS)
• SEA-LNG

The Ocean Foundation (TOF) was granted consultative status on a provisional basis for up to two years, after which it will be reviewed.

World Maritime Day and Parallel Event

The Council welcomed the offer by the Government of Qatar to host the World Maritime Day Parallel Event in 2028. The event is held in a different IMO Member State every year with the aim of celebrating World Maritime Day among a wider international audience.

This year’s World Maritime Day will be celebrated at the IMO Headquarters on Thursday, 24 September, observing the theme: “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence”. The 2026 World Maritime Day Parallel Event would take place in Busan, the Republic of Korea (26 and 27 October), then in the Philippines in 2027.

IMO Awards

The 2026 IMO Awards Ceremony is scheduled to take place in London at the IMO Headquarters on 14 December 2026. This will include:

2026 IMO Awards for Exceptional Bravery at Sea

The Council decided to award the 2026 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea posthumously to Mr. Adrian Willyson Brask, nominated by Government of Norway and by the International Federation of Shipmasters’ Associations (IFSMA).

In addition, two recipients will receive certificates of commendation for their acts of bravery, and 11 others will receive letters of commendation others will receive letters of commendation.

2025 International Maritime Prize

The Council selected Mr. Jeffrey G. Lantz, nominated by the Government of the United States of America, as the recipient of the International Maritime Prize for 2025. The prize is awarded annually to an individual or organization judged to have made a significant contribution to the work and objectives of IMO.

Rear Admiral Peter Brady was selected to receive a Letter of Commendation, in recognition of his contributions to the development of the maritime sector in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean and the work of IMO.