The Bahamas Advances Candidacy for IMO Council Category C During High-Level Engagements in London

This week, The Commonwealth of The Bahamas re-enforced its proactive role at the IMO, as a delegation led by Hon. JoBeth Coleby Davis, Minister of Energy and Transport, participated in a series of high-level meetings in London ahead of the upcoming IMO Assembly elections.

Throughout these engagements, The Bahamas re-iterated its steadfast dedication to international maritime governance and actively progressed its campaign for re-election to the IMO Council under Category C.

This candidacy underscores the nation’s enduring reputation as a trusted flag State, responsible port and coastal state, and its significant contributions to maritime safety, maritime security, environmental protection, and innovation within the global shipping industry.

Joining Minister Coleby-Davis were Paul Rolle, Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the IMO, Kingsley Smith, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Transport, Peter John Goulandris, Deputy Chairman, The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) Board, Captain Dwain Hutchinson, Managing Director & CEO of the BMA, and Alternate Permanent Representative to the IMO, and Senior Commander Berne Wright, Bahamas Port Controller.

The delegation also engaged closely with H.E. Paul A. Gomez, Bahamas High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and officials from the Bahamas High Commission, Ministry of Tourism (London) and the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) team.

During her address to the General Assembly, Minister Coleby-Davis, stressed the need for more training and educational opportunities in the maritime sector, while highlighting the increasing number of Bahamian students pursuing careers in shipping.

The Bahamas, through the Bahamas Maritime Authority, continues to be an active contributor to IMO committees, subcommittees, and working groups, particularly in areas relating to safety of life at sea, environmental protection and decarbonization, seafarer welfare and labour standards, maritime digitalization and emerging technologies, and sustainable maritime development.

Securing re-election to the IMO Council Category C will enable The Bahamas to further advocate for balanced global decision-making, especially on issues affecting small island developing States (SIDS), ships, seafarers, and the broader maritime community.

Photos include the Minister addressing the IMO Council, meetings with the IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, the Bahamas’ Permanent Representative to the IMO Ambassador Paul A. Rolle, the Ministerial delegation with High Commissioner Paul A. Gomez, the BMA London team supporting regulatory and technical functions for the Bahamas flag, and members of the Bahamas delegation in London.