 Oman will look to obtain a seat at the Council of International Maritime Organisation by next year.
At a seminar in Muscat last month Oman’s Ministry of Transport and Communication said it will look to win a seat on the IMO Council.
Officials say if the application is successful, being a member of the IMO Council should provide Oman with an opportunity to represent the interests of the region before the international community, in addition to special interests in the Sultanate, in particular to those relating to the shipping and maritime industries.
There is currently no GCC representation on the International Maritime Organisation’s Council for the 2014-2015 biennium.
In December last year, the Assembly of the IMO elected states to be Members of its Council for 2014-2015, starting with Category A, which included the ten states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services.
They included Greece, China, Italy, Japan, Norway, Panama, South Korea, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Another thirty states were elected to the next two categories, ten in B and 20 in C, however no GCC nation was elected to either of them.
Oman recognises it is an important step towards providing it with international recognition in maritime issues while also bolstering its position in the international maritime community.
It could be a catalyst in reviving Oman’s historical maritime heritage and help improve its role in the advancement of navigation around the world. This influence would be particularly importation in issues and interests relating to the region and ensuring effective participation by national staff in the work and deliberations of various committees and task forces.
The seminary was joined by a number of government and non-governmental organisations, including members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and executives from the Omani Ports Directorates, Oman International Maritime College, Oman Shipping Company, Dry Dock Company, National Ferries Company, Arabian Maritime and Navigation Aids Services and Oman Sail.
