
IMO Sets Priorities for 2025: Global Security, Decarbonization, and Seafarer Welfare
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is set to prioritize global security, decarbonization, and the welfare of seafarers throughout 2025, as stated by Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez during a recent press briefing at the IMO headquarters in London. Dominguez highlighted the strides made in the past year and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to improving safety in shipping, supporting seafarers, and promoting environmental initiatives within the maritime sector.
A significant focus for the IMO will be addressing unsafe operations and substandard ships. While the organization has no authority to impose sanctions, it plans to enhance technical collaboration with Member States to help them identify and rectify regulatory deficiencies.
Furthermore, Dominguez raised concerns about the rising cases of seafarer abandonment, which ballooned from 142 cases in 2023 to 310 in 2024. In conjunction with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and industry stakeholders, the IMO aims to tackle this issue by urging shipowners to assume greater responsibility for their crews and investing in the welfare of seafarers.
Dominguez also reiterated the IMO’s commitment to fostering diversity within its membership, striving to uphold inclusion standards even as some global corporations move away from diversity-oriented initiatives.
Looking to the future, the IMO will collaborate with Member States to finalize decarbonization strategies and surrounding costs. Estimates from the UN Trade and Development organization indicate that these measures could cost between EUR 8 billion and EUR 28 billion. However, Dominguez pointed out the potential for decarbonization to generate between 1 to 4 million green jobs, especially in developing nations.
The Secretary-General emphasized the significance of meeting the IMO’s greenhouse gas (GHG) targets for 2030, viewing them as essential stepping stones to achieve the 2050 objectives. He acknowledged the increased scrutiny on the organization to deliver measurable progress and stressed the necessity for Member States to affirm their dedication to the IMO’s goals.
Dominguez ended on a hopeful note, expressing optimism that, through the commitment of Member States, meaningful advancements can be made in the maritime sector over the coming year.
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