IMO Secretary-General: İnternational shipping must not be targeted and used as a means of exerting pressure in geopolitical crises

Unfortunately, I am compelled to once again address the pressing concerns that continue to afflict our maritime community. The safety and well-being of seafarers remain of utmost importance to us, especially considering the ongoing challenges highlighted by recent distressing events in a particularly worrying geopolitical context.

Allmarinenews reports that the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Arsenio Dominguez said this while speaking at the 111th session of the Legal Committee of the CIS held on April 22.

I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my call for the immediate release of any seafarer who has been hijacked or seized, particularly the crew of the Galaxy Leader who remain hijacked since November 2023 .

I would also like to make a call for the release for the MSC Aries and its crew members, captured on the 13th of April in international waters. Representatives of the international shipping industry have expressed their concern to the Secretary-General of the UN and on my part I am continuing to have conversations with the UN and stakeholders in a constant search for solutions.

The plight of the seafarers affected by these incidents must not be forgotten and it is incumbent upon us to pursue every available avenue to secure their safe return to their loved ones and their livelihoods. 

International shipping must not be targeted and used as a means of exerting pressure in geopolitical crises. And I call on you here to continue your efforts to return to normalcy and for ships and seafarers to continue doing their work without threats and interruptions.

As we move forward with our agenda, you will address a very serious matter of seafarers detained on suspicion of committing maritime crimes. Regrettably, cases of unfair treatment of seafarers are growing. This poses a threat to the future sustainability of merchant shipping. It negatively affects the morale of seafarers and recruitment of qualified young people into the seafaring profession. In this regard, the Committee is expected to finalize guidelines on the fair treatment of seafarers detained on suspicion of committing maritime crimes which will then later be refined and considered by the Joint IMO-ILO Tripartite Working Group.

I am working very closely with the ILO and ITF and others, communicating with countries with established cases and those of the nationality of the crew members, to consider and analyze any actions that may be taken and assist in finding solutions to the various cases. Your work in finalizing the guidelines will be crucial to assisting these efforts. 

On addressing fraudulent registration and fraudulent registries of ships, I would like to emphasize that quality shipping is of the utmost importance to ensure the compliance with the IMO's regulatory framework and its enforcement. Your Committee has been invited to take steps for the development of guidelines or best practices on registration of ships. I believe now is the opportune time to enhance the ship registration system, ensuring it is modern, effective and transparent for the benefit of safety, the protection of the marine environment and the well-being of seafarers. 

Lastly, I would like to remind you that today marks the celebration of IMO IMLI’s 35th anniversary. It is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome you for this special occasion, commemorating 35 years of success for the International Maritime Law Institute. 

I am confident that, under the guidance of your Chair, Ms. Gillian Grant of Canada, as well as the staff of the Legal Affairs and External Relations Division together with the staff of supporting divisions, you will be able to successfully achieve the objectives set for this session.

I extend best wishes to all of you for every success in your deliberations; and I invite you all to join me and the Secretariat at my welcome reception, as well as IMO IMLI’s 35th anniversary event after the close of today's business.