Singapore has conveyed its acceptance of the amendments to the Convention on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) noting the need to adapt the organisation to current needs and market challenges facing the industry.

The declaration of acceptance was presented by Teo Eng Dih, chief executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to Kitack Lim, secretary-general of the IMO on November 30, 2022.

"Singapore supports the proposed amendments to the IMO Convention. These amendments recognise and reflect the need to build a more inclusive international maritime community to collectively address our common challenges," Teo Eng Dih said.

"Singapore looks forward to fellow IMO Member States accepting these amendments."

The amendments to the IMO Convention, which were adopted by the IMO Assembly on December 8, 2021, expand the size of the IMO Council from 40 to 52 Members.

It also extended the term of its Council Members from two to four years; and recognise three additional language texts as authentic versions of the IMO Convention. 

Singapore has been a member of the IMO Council since 1993.

As an IMO Council member, Singapore has played an active role in the organisation to advance the interests of the international maritime community, including enhancing navigational safety, promoting efficient and sustainable shipping, and protecting the marine environment.

Singapore has consistently been named the world's top maritime centre for the ninth consecutive year, based on the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index.