India advances maritime priorities at 137th IMO Council Session in London
India reaffirmed its commitment to global maritime governance, seafarer welfare and sustainable shipping at the 137th Session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, held in London from 6–10 July 2026. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Maritime Administration, with Shri Ash Mohomad, Deputy Director General. India made interventions on proposed amendments to the IMO Rules of Procedure, raised concerns over Effective Implementation (EI) percentages and the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS), and pressed for effective implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). The delegation highlighted the launch of the 24×7 e-Navik Seafarer Assistance Portal by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA). India met IMO Secretary-General H.E. Arsenio Dominguez, raising issues including the C.P. Srivastava Chair at the World Maritime University (WMU) and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, and extended an invitation to INMARCO 2026 in Mumbai. It also flagged the reduction of seafarer abandonment cases to 56 vessels involving 449 seafarers.
Key Facts & Details
9 points- 1India participated in the 137th Session of the IMO Council, held in London from 6–10 July 2026.
- 2The Indian delegation was led by Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Maritime Administration.
- 3India pressed for effective implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) and reforms to the IMO Rules of Procedure.
- 4The delegation met IMO Secretary-General H.E. Arsenio Dominguez on key seafarer and maritime-interest issues.
- 5India highlighted the 24×7 e-Navik Seafarer Assistance Portal launched by the DGMA.
- 6India reported seafarer abandonment cases reduced to 56 vessels involving 449 seafarers.
Deep Dive
- +India raised concerns over Effective Implementation (EI) percentages and public disclosure under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS).
- +Discussions with the Secretary-General covered the C.P. Srivastava Chair at the World Maritime University (WMU) and security in the Strait of Hormuz.
- +India invited the Secretary-General to INMARCO 2026 in Mumbai and held talks with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF).
Exam Focus
Examiners may ask the session number and venue (137th, London), the dates (6-10 July 2026), the IMO Secretary-General (Arsenio Dominguez), who led India's delegation (Shyam Jagannathan), or the seafarer initiative (e-Navik portal).
Related Topics
Exam Relevance & Angle
India's engagement at multilateral bodies is a steady international-relations theme. The IMO Council, its Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, the Maritime Labour Convention, and initiatives like the e-Navik portal connect diplomacy, institutions and seafarer welfare that examiners test in IR sections.
Target Exams
Background & Context
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the United Nations specialised agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships, headquartered in London. Its Council is the executive organ that supervises the organisation's work between Assembly sessions. The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) sets minimum working and living standards for seafarers worldwide, while the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) assesses how effectively states implement IMO instruments. The World Maritime University (WMU) in Sweden is an IMO institution for maritime education and research. India, a major supplier of the world's seafarers, is an active Council member advocating governance reform and crew welfare.
Test Yourself
1 / 2Where was the 137th Session of the IMO Council held?
Source
This topic is important for:
