By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr.
LONDON: Liberia has retained its place among the world’s leading maritime nations with its re-election as a Category A member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council.
The announcement came today during the IMO’s 34th Assembly in London, where Member States voted overwhelmingly to maintain Liberia in the organization’s highest decision-making tier for the 2026–2027 biennium.
Liberia was represented by Atty. Robert Kpadeh, to the IMO, Neto Lieghe Zarzar, Maritime Commissioner General and Dr. Abraham Nyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Organization.
Liberia secured 141 votes, underscoring strong international confidence in its maritime performance and leadership.
Category A represents the IMO’s most influential grouping and is reserved for ten countries deemed to have the greatest interest in international shipping.
Liberia’s continued presence in this elite bloc highlights its longstanding reputation as a trusted maritime partner and its growing impact on global sea transport regulation, safety, and innovation.
The successful bid for Liberia’s re-election is attributed to several strategic achievements and commitments including that Liberia continues to uphold the highest standards of safety, security, and environmental stewardship through full adherence to IMO conventions and maintaining one of the world’s largest and most compliant ship registries, earning international respect for quality and reliability.
Furthermore, Liberia plays a prominent role in key committees, including the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) and the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), Liberia fully settled its 2025 IMO assessments, reinforcing its reputation for fiscal discipline and institutional responsibility and it remains a strong voice in critical global discussions on emissions reduction, digitalization, and enhanced safety standards.
The coordination of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), and the Liberia Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) have driven These achievements and have continued to enhance the nation’s influence in the international Maritime community.
The re-election of Liberia has ensured its continued participation in shaping global maritime policies, especially at a time when the industry faces rapid technological changes, environmental pressures, and evolving safety demands.
