Liberia looses seat at IMO

Liberia, Algeria and Poland have been voted off the 32-state IMO Council for 2000 – 2001 to be replaced by the Bahamas, Malta and Morocco. As Liberia?s register is the second largest in the world with more than 1,600 ships – 12 per cent of the merchant fleet above 300gt – it was surprised at not being selected as one of sixteen states with special interests in maritime transport.

Panama, the largest registry, at over 19 per cent with almost 5,000 ships, retains its position and is joined by the Bahamas and Malta which each have over 5 per cent of the world fleet on their registers. This leaves Liberia as the only one of the top 12 flag states not elected to the IMO?s council.

Ranked 41 and 55, Poland and Algeria both have under 1 per cent of the world?s tonnage on their registries, while Morocco?s share does not figure in percentage terms and is ranked number 80.

Also IMO has also approved its budget of £36.6 million ($58.6 million) for 2000-2001 which is the same figure as for the previous biennium.