In his opening address at the 112th session of the Legal Committee, which takes place from 24 to 28 March 2025, IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, highlighted key issues to be addressed.
The Legal Committee (LEG) deals with any legal matters within IMO’s scope. This includes liability and compensation issues related to the operation of ships, including damage, pollution, passenger claims, and wreck removal. The Committee also addresses seafarer matters, including the fair treatment of seafarers, and issues concerning unlawful activities at sea which affect the safety of navigation.
Detention of seafarers for committing crimes
In his address at the opening of the 112th session of the Legal Committee on 24 March 2025, the IMO Secretary-General, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, welcomed the distinguished delegates and highlighted the critical issue that the Committee would focus on during the session: the detention of seafarers suspected of committing crimes.
IMO-ILO Guidelines adoption
He expressed concern over the increasing incidents of unjust treatment of seafarers, noting that such cases posed a significant challenge to the sustainability of shipping. The Secretary-General emphasized that these incidents not only undermined the morale of seafarers but also discouraged young talent from pursuing careers at sea. In response, he noted that the Committee was set to adopt the Guidelines on the fair treatment of seafarers detained in connection with alleged crimes, which had been refined and adopted by the Joint IMO-ILO Tripartite Working Group in November the previous year.
I am actively working alongside the ILO, ITF, and other stakeholders, engaging with countries with established cases and the home nations of detained crew members to explore potential solutions. Your discussions and decisions this week will play a crucial role in these ongoing efforts.
… Dominguez explained.
Fraudulent ship registries
On the issue of fraudulent ship registration and registries, the Secretary-General emphasized the importance of maintaining high-quality shipping standards to ensure compliance with the IMO’s regulatory framework and its enforcement. He noted that the Committee would be discussing a proposed output to develop guidelines or best practices for ship registration, which he believed was a timely opportunity to enhance performance and transparency related to global compliance with IMO instruments.
To remind, ITF reported that several flag states are hindering efforts to resolve abandonment cases. In response, the ITF has submitted an analysis of abandonment incidents that occurred from 1 January to 31 December 2024 for consideration by the LEG.
He also mentioned that two more proposals would be discussed during the session: one focusing on the suitability of IMO liability and compensation regimes concerning alternative fuels, and the other addressing maritime security threats.
