IMO Prioritises Support to Seafarers

The Secretary General of the IMO, Arsenio Dominguez, has highlighted support to seafarers, maritime safety and security and decarbonisation as his top priorities for 2025.   

In his New Year statement, issued on 3 January, the secretary general said:  

“When it comes to seafarers, we need to enhance the safety and security of the key personnel on board ships. We also need to focus on increasing the support that we provide to them, not just on decarbonisation, but also when it comes to reducing the criminalization of seafarers; then diversity.”  

The 2025 IMO focus on seafarers’ safety aligns with some of the key objectives of The Nautical Institute to increase safety and professionalism across the sector.   

In a meeting on 17 September 2024, Captain Trevor Bailey MNM CMMar FNI, President of The Nautical Institute and Arsenio Dominguez highlighted the importance of making the seafarers’ voice heard at the IMO. This message was reiterated during our Joint Governance Meeting in October, where the Secretary General visited The Nautical Institute’s headquarters for an open discussion with our members.  

Our expert volunteer delegates represent our members’ views at almost all IMO meetings, giving seafarers worldwide a voice at the IMO.  

The Secretary General concluded his New Year message by highlighting this year’s World Maritime Day, which takes place on 25 September 2025. The theme for 2025 is “Our ocean, Our obligation, Our opportunity.” Many of The Nautical Institute’s branches are planning events to support World Maritime Day.  

You can watch the IMO Secretary General’s New Year message, here.