Panama was re-elected today to Category A of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council with 148 votes at the 34th Assembly in London.
The result reflects broad international confidence in the country’s strategic weight within global shipping and its consistent support for the IMO’s work.
The re-election crowns a sustained diplomatic effort by Panama’s Permanent Mission to the IMO, working closely with the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure backing from Member States and bolster the nation’s standing in the maritime arena.
In the run-up to the vote, Panama mounted an intensive diplomatic campaign to deepen alliances and confirm support.
Its case rested on demonstrable assets: the central role of the Panama Canal in world trade, its position as the world’s largest ship registry, and its adherence to stringent international standards on safety, environmental protection and transparency.
During the Assembly, the Panamanian delegation — led by Volney Guinard, Secretary-General of WAP; Ramón Franco, Director-General of the Merchant Marine; and Ginette Testa, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the IMO — held high-level discussions with counterparts from the US, Greece, Belgium and Singapore.
They outlined advances in fleet purification, stronger operational oversight and improved compliance with Port State Control.
Panama’s geographic position, the Panama Canal, which carries roughly 6 per cent of global maritime trade, and its ports on both coasts underpin its function as a major transit point linking more than 180 shipping routes worldwide.
The Panamanian Ship Registry remains the world’s largest, comprising more than 8,700 vessels and 238 million gross registered tonnes.
It operates through a modern, digitised and transparent platform aligned with international standards for safety and efficiency.
With its re-election to Category A, Panama retains a central voice in shaping global maritime policy and advancing safer, more efficient international shipping.
In November, Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez outlined the waterway’s strategic infrastructure and port development plans during a recent discussion in Houston.
