Egypt Secures IMO Council Category “C” Seat for Sixth Consecutive Term

Egypt won a seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category “C” for the sixth consecutive term, securing 132 votes out of 171 participating member states during elections held Friday in London. 

This marks Egypt’s 23rd election to the Council since joining the IMO, reaffirming the country’s longstanding influence in global maritime affairs.

In an official statement, Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport dedicated the achievement to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Egyptian people. 

He emphasized that the victory reflects the strong backing of Egypt’s political leadership, which prioritizes strengthening the nation’s international standing across key sectors.

El-Wazir highlighted that the success is the result of close coordination between the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscoring Egypt’s strategic commitment to enhancing its global maritime presence.

“This significant win embodies Egypt’s status and pivotal role in the region and the world, particularly in the fields of maritime transport and global trade,” El-Wazir said, expressing gratitude to the countries that supported Egypt in the tightly watched election.

He stressed that maintaining a seat on the IMO Council carries considerable importance for Egypt, a nation with a longstanding maritime heritage and a critical geographical position linking the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Home to the Suez Canal, one of the world's busiest and most strategic shipping routes, Egypt continues to serve as a cornerstone of global navigation and commerce.

The minister also pointed to the “remarkable transformation” underway across Egypt’s seaports, which are being upgraded and expanded to position the country as a leading regional hub for logistics, transshipment, and maritime services, in line with directives from President El-Sisi.

“These combined factors make Egypt not only a major global maritime center, but also a strong partner in supporting the IMO’s vision for advancing and sustaining the international maritime sector,” he added.

Egypt’s renewed seat at the IMO Council is expected to bolster its role in shaping policies that govern global shipping, safety standards, and environmental sustainability at sea.