The IMO wraps up for 2025
The final maritime regulatory and administrative events of the IMO’s busy year took place in London this week.
The 34th Session of the IMO Assembly concluded with the adoption of a series of Assembly Resolutions across of range of shipping matters. These include:
- The Integrated IMO Identification Number Scheme.
- Apportionment of expenses among Member States (in respect of the Integrated IMO Identification Number Scheme).
- Relations with non-governmental organizations (which reaffirms the position of The Nautical Institute in consultative status at the IMO).
- The revised Framework and Procedures for the IMO Member State Audit Scheme.
- Charges for distress, urgency and safety communications through recognized mobile satellite services in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. (These specify that distress calls and safety service receptions are free of charge to ship stations).
- Criteria for the provision of mobile satellite communication systems in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
Following the elections to the IMO’s Council, which took place on Friday 28 November 2025, the new members of Council met in formal session for the first time on Wednesday 3 December. Their first task was to elect their Chair - Mr Victor Jimenez of Spain was re-elected, without contest. Dr Amane Fethallah of Morocco was re-elected as Vice-Chair, without contest. The Nautical Institute congratulates them both.
After a busy year, there are no further IMO Committee meetings in 2025. The next IMO sub-Committee will be on Ship Design and Construction, to be held 19-23 January 2026. Your delegation from The Nautical Institute will continue to represent our members and all seafarers at all IMO Committee and sub-Committee meetings throughout 2026, focusing our efforts on: enhancing seafarer professional development; sharing ideas, experience and best practice; and working towards a safer, environmentally sound and sustainable maritime industry.
We are especially looking forward to the Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping meeting in February 2026, where we have sponsored or co-sponsored a series of formal proposals for IMO regulation.
At this week’s IMO meetings, The Nautical Institute was represented by Captain Chris O’Flaherty AFNI and Ms Gina Kim MNI. If you are a full member of The Nautical Institute with specialist maritime knowledge, and you wish to volunteer as an expert member of our delegation, please do visit our website here: Become an IMO volunteer expert delegate.