FEDERAL minister for infrastructure and transport Catherine King is meeting with the International Maritime Organization to reinforce Australia’s role as a member state ahead of IMO council elections later this year.

Ms King departed for London on 15 July. She said the IMO visit would allow her to highlight the benefits Australia would continue to bring to the council if re-elected.

Australia is one of 40 member states currently on the IMO council and is a candidate for re-election for the upcoming 2024-2025 term. The next election is scheduled for 1 December 2023.

“As a member state, Australia plays a vital role negotiating and influencing the IMO’s framework of standards that underpin a safe, efficient, secure and environmentally friendly international shipping sector,” Ms King said.

She said Australia’s position on the council is critical for supporting the region’s maritime trade links and access to international markets.

Ms King is also meeting with other transport leaders overseas to represent Australia’s transport ambitions.

“As well as meeting with key partners at the IMO and participating in its election of a new secretary-general, I’ll take the opportunity to share ideas and leverage experience from the United Kingdom on a range of fronts – such as transport delivery and decarbonisation,” she said.

“This includes visiting a terminus station of a new high-speed rail line and the headquarters of the UK’s first high-speed railway, as well as meeting with local leaders who are driving the decarbonisation of aviation and sustainable aviation fuels.

“I also look forward to visiting the Northumberland Development Project to discuss lessons learnt from integrating a major sporting facility with urban redevelopment such as housing, community infrastructure and businesses.”

Ms King then plans to travel to Singapore to accelerate implementation and promotion of technologies for decarbonising shipping under the Green Economy Agreement between Australia and Singapore.

“This includes progressing discussions on the establishment of a memorandum of understanding between our two countries to cooperate on low-emissions solutions for maritime and port operations, to drive both our goals for greener shipping,” she said.

“I look forward to these meetings and visits to signal Australia’s transport ambitions and progress, while learning from the experience of our international partners.”