50th anniversary

The Maritime Authority of Jamaica has marked Jamaica's 50th anniversary as a member of the IMO with a call for small island developing states to be fully represented in decisions shaping the next generation of global shipping rules. Jamaica lodged its Instrument of Acceptance to the IMO Convention on 11 May 1976, and has since played an active role in international maritime governance. More than 80 per cent of its imports and exports move by sea, including energy supplies, motor vehicles, essential commodities and raw materials, while its marine territory is almost 24 times the size of its landmass.