On 28 November 2025, the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) voted on the members of the Council for 2026-2027. Finland was elected as one of the 40 Member States in the Council.
“I am very happy for the trust placed in Finland in the IMO Council elections. Finland is truly a seafaring country! We will continue our active work and cooperation for the future of shipping,” Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne says.
Finland has been a member of the IMO Council in 2024–2025. As a member of the new Council, Finland will continue the work to promote efficiency, transparency and inclusiveness in IMO. In the next Council term Finland wants to advocate, in particular, that the voices of maritime educators and the next generation of seafarers are heard.
Finland has a proven track record over the years as a maritime nation active in all IMO Committees and Sub-Committees. We want to continue as a proactive member in maritime - from safeguarding the ecosystem of the seas to enabling latest innovation for the shipbuilding and enhanced safety for the mariners.
Finland is a country of technology with a world-class education system. We have globally recognized expertise in ICT and digitalization. Finnish companies lead the way in designing and building ships for demanding polar conditions. Finland also takes pride in designing and constructing leading edge energy efficient marine engines, cruise vessels, as well as other advanced solutions in marine technology. All these innovative solutions and thinking create new ways of protecting the marine environment for the future generations. Our ocean - our obligation - our opportunity.
We are happy to continue working in active collaboration with all IMO Member States and Observers for effectiveness, transparency and inclusiveness in the Organization.
When re-elected to the Council, we will:
- keep working for safer, more sustainable and prosperous future for global shipping,
- promote good governance, and
- give voice to maritime educators and the next generation of seafarers.
Our key themes
Future of global shipping
- Finland is committed to safeguarding and further improving maritime safety globally through IMO regulation.
- In the coming years, safety and sustainability go hand in hand as new maritime fuels are being developed and their safe use needs to be regulated. Seafarer safety is central.
- Digitalization and automation help improve maritime safety, reduce emissions, provide better services and enable data-driven logistics.
Good governance, level playing field
- Finland will continue working to ensure a level playing field in the IMO.
- We are internationally recognised for the quality of governance, trust in authorities’ actions, low levels of corruption, transparency in administrative decision-making, accountability, and the ease of using public services.
- Finland is committed to ensuring that special conditions are considered – especially the prerequisites for safe and sustainable shipping in small island developing states and least developed countries.
Next generation of seafarers
- During the era of digitalization and automation it is vital to focus on education and knowledge sharing among seafarers. People will remain at the heart of seafaring even the new technologies evolve.
- Finland supports technology transfer and works towards sustainable development through education. For example, our Transport and Communications Agency has organized field courses for Maritime Energy Management students from developing countries at the World Maritime University.
- A generational shift is taking place in shipping, and there is a significant global demand for competent crewmembers. We need more women in shipping to meet this challenge.
