Ceremony to Commemorate Jamaica's 50th anniversary as an IMO Member

Ceremony to commemorate Jamaica's 50th anniversary as a member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) May 12, 2026 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade, Downtown Kingston The theme: Jamaica and the IMO: 50 Years Advancing Safe, Secure and Sustainable Shipping. The IMO is the United Nations' specialised agency responsible for the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping, and on May 11, 1976, Jamaica became an official member of this important entity. Over the past five decades, Jamaica has moved from membership to active leadership within the organisation. We have served nine consecutive terms on the IMO Council (Category C), first elected in 2007, and most recently re-elected in November 2025 for the 2026–2027 biennium with 129 votes. Fifty years of IMO membership represents Jamaica's sustained commitment to safe, secure, and environmentally responsible shipping at the international level. As a small island developing state dependent on maritime trade, Jamaica's active participation in global maritime governance has direct implications for the country's economic resilience, environmental protection, and regional influence. The Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), which was established in 1999, is the national body responsible for implementing Jamaica's IMO obligations, including flag State administration through the Jamaica Ship Registry, port State control, and enforcement of key conventions including SOLAS, MARPOL, and STCW. We remain steadfastly committed to excellence in maritime administration for 🇯🇲