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Australia To Renominate for IMO Council

Australia To Renominate for IMO Council

The Australian Government has marked World Maritime Day by announcing it will seek another two-year term on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council. As a founding member of the IMO, Australia has helped shape international maritime standards for almost 75 years.

 

Australia is nominating for re-election to ‘Category B’ of the IMO Council, which is comprised of states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade. Re-election will allow Australia to continue bringing practical expertise, a consensus-building approach and a regional voice to decisions that shape global maritime safety, environmental protection, international trade and sustainable shipping.

Working closely with IMO Member States and industry, Australia is widely recognised for our active leadership on maritime safety, digital maritime services, seafarer welfare, search and rescue and environment protection.

Australia is helping shape international responses to some of the maritime sector's most significant challenges, including the transition to low-carbon liquid fuels, the safe adoption of emerging technologies and the prevention of marine pollution. Australia is also working closely with our Indo-Pacific neighbours, including Small Island Developing States to ensure their needs and concerns are heard, and so we are strengthening maritime capability, resilience, sustainability and safety across the region.

Australia's campaign will continue through to the 35th IMO Assembly in December 2027, when Member States will elect Council members for the 2028-29 biennium.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, commented: “As a middle power, we will continue to support the rules and norms that underpin shared prosperity and shared security.

“Our candidacy reflects that commitment, working with partners across all regions to address shared maritime challenges and opportunities.”

Through our membership of the IMO Council, Australia strengthens international cooperation and supports global maritime trade, which underpins energy and food security for Australia, the Indo-Pacific, and beyond.”

“We are proud to work with all IMO Member States and maritime partners toward a safer and more sustainable global maritime system, and look forward to continuing that contribution if re-elected,” Minister Wong added.

These sentiments were echoed by Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, who added: “The vast majority of Australia’s imports and exports rely on a strong, safe and sustainable maritime sector. Shipping connects our island nation to global markets, so it’s vital we have a seat at the table where international standards are established.”

“Over decades, Australia has been a reliable and constructive voice on the IMO Council, advocating for maritime safety, environmental protection, seafarer welfare and practical solutions to emerging challenges facing international shipping.”

“Australia is seeking re-election so we can continue to contribute our expertise to the IMO and collaboratively shape the future of global shipping,” Minister King concluded.

What does the truck driver shortage mean for Australian construction?

What does the truck driver shortage mean for Australian construction?

by Adam Amato, Route Optimisation Specialist at NowGo by Shippit

Half of all major infrastructure projects saw their costs increase in recent years, according to Infrastructure Australia data. Meanwhile, the average build time for a residential property has stretched from six to 10 months, according to the Productivity Commission.

Whether big or small, the successful delivery of projects on time and on budget is being undermined by a worrying (and growing) labour shortage in the supply chain that services it. Australia is currently 12% short of the drivers it needs to service a growing freight profile, according to the IRU's Global Driver Shortage Report.

What’s more, 24% of the existing workforce, equating to over 43,000 drivers, is set to retire by 2030.

Steel and concrete, plasterboard and plant, all arrive on a truck that someone has to drive. So a shortage in labour upstream, quickly becomes delivery windows that are missed, trades standing idle, and project timelines and budgets at risk.

According to research by NowGo by Shippit, a route optimisation software used by complex Australian fleets, 71% of fleet operators say labour shortages result in peak period delays or higher costs to serve. To cope, 86% have extended operating hours and 57% have brought on temporary drivers, but both are expensive short-term fixes that tend to be passed back to the site manager in the shape of higher freight costs.

But labour isn’t the only pressure impacting the access to, and cost of, critical construction materials. Almost three quarters (71%) of fleets say fuel price volatility is their biggest operational challenge in 2026, with almost half passing temporary fuel surcharges onto their customers.

For site managers, the reliability of the supply chain that services them is still being held together by overtime and surcharges. That’s a fragile, short-term fix to an issue that requires a longer-term solution.

That’s why 71% of fleets say route optimisation software is their top technology investment. At a time of critical labour shortages, getting more out of every driver and every kilometre is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s critical for suppliers and the construction sector they serve. Optimisation is how fleets like Reece and Mitre 10 are maintaining delivery promises for major and local construction projects across Australia.

It’s a challenging environment facing suppliers; a perfect storm of labour shortages, fuel price volatility, contracting margins, and heightened customer expectations. But those that focus on long-term fleet optimisation, rather than short-term fixes, will be better placed to protect margins and customer relationships. With Australia currently lagging on building targets, that’s the supply chain the construction sector needs.