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Infrastructure minister calls for maritime membership upgrade

Darren Chester, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, says Australia is seeking to upgrade its International Maritime Organisation (IMO) membership to Category B.
Chester said World Maritime Day, celebrated this year on Wednesday 27 September, was a day to celebrate shipping and highlight Australia’s campaign to move up from Category C on IMO’s governing Council.
“Category B more accurately reflects Australia’s status as a state with a large interest in international seaborne trade,” Chester said.
“Australia is the world’s largest bulk commodities exporter, with deep interests in protecting our marine environment and servicing a search and rescue area that covers one-tenth of the earth’s surface.
“Category C is for states with a special interest in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the Council ensures the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.”
He said that Australia’s election to Category B would allow the country to continue to work closely with IMO member states to develop balanced and evidence-based policy on issues important to trade efficiency and maritime safety and protecting the marine environment.
“Shipping directly supports Australia’s economy and essentially all of our exports—agricultural products, including wheat and wool, minerals such as iron ore, and energy,” he added.
“Creating the conditions in which international shipping can operate safely, efficiently and with minimal environmental impact is important to the Australian Government.”
Check out the message below from IMO Secretary-General Ki Tack Lim on this year’s theme, ‘Connecting Ships, Ports and People’.

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