The upcoming elections to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, scheduled for December 23, 2025, at the organization’s 34th Assembly in London, are expected to significantly shape the future of African representation in global maritime governance.
Africa has fielded five countries for the 40-member IMO Council, seeking to amplify the continent’s voice in shaping international maritime policy. Kenya, alongside Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa, is contesting under Category C—a grouping reserved for 20 states that, while not dominant in shipping or trade volumes, have special interests in maritime transport or navigation. These members ensure balanced geographic representation in the Council.
Kenya’s bid, viewed as strategic for Eastern Africa, builds upon its steady presence in the Council since 2001. The country was re-elected in the last elections with 128 votes out of 168, reaffirming its diplomatic strength and regional maritime profile.
Speaking after Kenya’s last re-election under Category C for the 2024–2025 biennium, former Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Salim Mvurya said, “Kenya has all that is required for global maritime take-off as exhibited in this re-election. I thus invite investors to come to Kenya and tap into the yet-to-be-explored areas in the maritime and shipping sector.”
The IMO Council plays a central role in supervising the work of the IMO, coordinating activities of its organs, and shaping global maritime policies on safety, environmental protection, legal affairs, and capacity building.
Council membership is divided into three categories, with A representing 10 states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services. Current members include China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Panama, the Republic of Korea, the UK, and the US. The B category is 10 states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade, such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the UAE.
This year’s elections have attracted 26 candidatures for Category C, underlining the global competition for the limited slots. Kenya’s continued presence on the council offers significant benefits for East African countries and Western Indian Ocean Island states. Kenya acts as a regional voice, pushing maritime priorities for the Horn of Africa and beyond, including port infrastructure development, maritime safety, and environmental protection.
The seat attracts technical cooperation, funding, and training opportunities for regional players, improving capacity in areas such as ship safety inspections, seafarer training, and oil spill response. Through its seat, Kenya can advocate for harmonized maritime policies, support anti-piracy efforts, and promote the blue economy across the Eastern Africa region.
This comes at a time when the African continent is redefining itself to play a more significant role in shipping. The Intergovernmental Standing Committee on Shipping (ISCOS) has been rebranded to Maritime Organization for Eastern, Southern, and Northern Africa (MOESNA), sparking a wave of fresh interest across the continent, drawing in new member states such as Burundi, Botswana, and Malawi. They join the founding group of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia are also new entrants.
This expanding membership signals a renewed confidence in MOESNA’s vision, anchored in regional cooperation, forward-thinking innovation, and a strong commitment to African-led maritime development.
As the countdown to the December elections begins, Kenya’s re-election prospects look promising, leveraging its consistent performance and leadership in regional maritime affairs. Ultimately, Kenya’s seat is not just a national gain but a regional asset, ensuring East Africa’s maritime interests remain on the global agenda.
This article was published by Githua Kihara, an editorial consultant for FEAFFA’s Freight Logistics Magazine. For any inquiries, please contact us via email at editorial@feaffa.com or freightlogistics@feaffa.com, or reach out to Andrew Onionga directly at onionga@feaffa.com / +254733780240.
