-
Last updated on
A container ship on the high seas. © Getty Images
After two years of absence, Belgium has once again become a member of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), thanks to a carefully planned campaign by our FPS. Our country is committed to safe, sustainable, climate-neutral, humane, and innovative maritime transport.
Key messages
- A well-thought-out campaign by our FPS resulted in Belgium being re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
- The IMO is a key United Nations body responsible for the regulation of international shipping.
- Our country has committed itself to safe, sustainable, climate-neutral, humane, and innovative maritime transport.
Maritime transport forms the backbone of global trade. In terms of volume, 80% of all internationally traded goods are transported via sea. Maritime transport delivers raw materials and semi-finished products to production centres, while transporting finished products to the end consumer. Job creation, economic growth, and industrialisation depend on it.
Torrey Canyon
However, maritime shipping also has a downside. For example, supertankers transport massive shipments of petroleum. In the event of an accident, tonnes of oil could end up in the sea. Among the first wake-up calls was the spectacular disaster involving the Torrey Canyon in 1967. However, shipments of hazardous chemicals can also cause pollution, as can discharges and the dumping of waste.
Not to mention, maritime shipping is also highly 'carbon-intensive'. It accounts for 3% of total greenhouse gas emissions, as much as aviation.
International Maritime Organization
It is therefore plain to see that maritime shipping needs regulation. And because shipping has a distinctly international character, this must be done within an international framework. Only in this way can we guarantee a level playing field for everyone.
Furthermore, a large proportion of shipping takes place on the high seas, which fall outside all national borders. Only the flag of the ship—that is, the country in which a ship is registered—can exercise legal authority over it. Given the many different flags under which ships sail, it is best to harmonise the rules at an international level.
The need for international regulation of maritime shipping already became apparent during the 19th century. However, the idea of a dedicated organisation only began to take shape after the establishment of the United Nations in 1945. Ultimately, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was established in 1958.
The London-based organisation focused on maritime safety, navigation efficiency, pollution prevention, and so on. Its mission can be described as 'striving for safe, environmentally friendly, efficient, and sustainable shipping through cooperation'.
Sculpture at the entrance of the International Maritime Organization in London. © Shutterstock
Ocean nation Belgium
Belgium has always been a loyal member of the IMO and traditionally also of the IMO Council (category C for countries with special interests in maritime transport). After all, our country can truly be called an ocean nation.
"Our 65 kilometres of coastline may seem small but it is a highly strategic strait, comparable to Hormuz (between the United Arab Emirates and Iran) or the Strait of Malacca (between Sumatra and Malacca)," emphasised Willem van de Voorde – Special Envoy for Climate and Environment at our FPS – some time ago. “We also have large ports, major shipowners with strong and growing tanker fleets, dredgers that are among the top five in the world, and an extensive network of scientists."
In 2023, Belgian maritime shipping accounted for nearly 10 billion euros in direct turnover. The total added value—both direct and indirect—then rose to €4.5 billion, 50% higher than the €3.1 billion recorded in 2016. Our port of Antwerp-Bruges is the second-largest port in Europe and the 13th largest worldwide.
Elected with flying colours
Our country therefore has every interest in being at the helm of this maritime organisation. A well-considered campaign strategy, combined with a persuasive narrative emphasising our quality and motivation, marked the launch of a new campaign.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO)—a highly technical organisation—is primarily monitored by the Federal Public Service for Mobility, in collaboration with the sector (ports, shipping companies, etc.).
Our Federal Public Service monitors the safety aspects, while our Ambassador in London serves as the permanent representative to the IMO. But we are mainly responsible for the elections. We therefore made every effort to carry out lobbying activities with the voting countries (see box).
And we did so successfully. We managed to get elected with flying colours. With no fewer than 141 votes, we achieved third place out of 26 candidates. This is excellent proof that vigorous campaigning really pays off and that the Belgian narrative resonated with voters!
What is our approach to running a successful campaign?
In international organisations, seats on boards of directors and similar bodies regularly become available. There are always more applicants than available seats. Securing such a seat requires our country to undertake a campaign. And that's the job of our FPS.
In the case of the IMO, the campaign proved highly successful: Belgium was resoundingly elected. How did our FPS go about this?
An important component is the lobbying effort with the voting countries. Our Central Administration sent instructions to all relevant embassies for this purpose. They were tasked with presenting and promoting Belgium’s candidacy, typically at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in the case of the IMO occasionally at the Ministry of Mobility.
During this lobbying effort, our diplomats emphasised the strengths of our country. We provided them with the necessary, convincing arguments, packaged in clear brochures and leaflets. They also asked whether Belgium could count on their vote.
At times, a ‘reciprocity agreement’ or exchange arrangement was proposed. Put differently: “We are willing to vote for you, provided that you, in turn, vote for us in another candidacy.” At the Central Administration, we then considered whether we could agree to the proposed ‘trade’.
A second part of the campaign consisted of high-level meetings involving our ministers and senior officials. In the speaking points provided to them, we consistently instructed them to promote our candidacy for the IMO.
A final crucial phase of the campaign took place just before the elections. Before that, it was the turn of our embassy in London, in the country where the IMO is headquartered.
Our diplomats in London conducted bilateral meetings with virtually all 176 countries that are members of the IMO. In addition, our colleagues organised a reception attended by 150 to 200 guests.
A noteworthy detail: from now on, Belgium will second an official from the Federal Public Service for Mobility—a ‘technical attaché’—to our embassy in London. This person will represent Belgium full-time at the IMO. That certainly made our candidacy more credible, as that was something that we had not previously had.
Our outstanding result confirmed the effectiveness of our strategy. We now intend to adopt a similar approach to bring the BBNJ Secretariat to Brussels. The decision on this will be made at the first COP of the BBNJ Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, later this year. Chile and China are our two rival candidates.
Building bridges
Over the next two years – 2026 and 2027 – Belgium will once again be an active member of the IMO Council. We want to make our mark on IMO policy and highlight our status as an ocean nation. In doing so, we are committed to building bridges between countries, as this is the only way to find the best solutions.
We have four priorities during our membership:
- Security (combating organised crime and trafficking in illegal goods, etc.);
- Innovation (autonomous ships, etc.);
- Seafarers' welfare and diversity (focus on women and LGBTIQ+ persons, etc.):
- Sustainability (reducing carbon emissions, alternative fuels, etc.) (see below).
IMO Net Zero Framework
A critically important task will indeed be the path to climate neutrality by 2050. In October 2025, the IMO made headlines due to unprecedented geopolitical influences on the negotiations over the IMO Net Zero Framework (NZF). The agreement was not adopted because the session was postponed for a year.
Belgium remains fully behind the NZF. For us, it represents the most suitable instrument to achieve the IMO’s climate ambitions while simultaneously ensuring a level playing field. It not only enforces technical standards but also offers financial and technological support to countries. Particular attention is given to the least developed countries and small island states. The NZF also offers significant potential for innovation and growth in Belgium and enjoys strong support from Belgian ports and shipping companies.
Our country will continue its efforts to provide technical clarifications and to secure the adoption of the important NZF agreement. And that in close cooperation with both European and non-European countries. As an ocean nation, we assume the role expected of us within the IMO.
More on Economy
Belgium, a high achiever in the sports economy
Belgian companies have a great deal of expertise in sports and entertainment technology. This is why our FPS is supporting them ...
The Green Corridor: the Congo River becomes an economic lifeline without affecting the rainforest
The Virunga Alliance led by Emmanuel de Merode succeeded in maintaining the majestic Virunga National Park by creating jobs for ...
Enabel commits to sustainable and inclusive mining in Africa
The Belgian agency for international cooperation wants to participate in the development of responsible industrialisation throug...