S6 Ep10: Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General, IMO

As the dust begins to settle on the landmark approval of the first global greenhouse gas (GHG) pricing mechanism for international shipping, the IMO Secretary-General considers the road ahead, and urges the industry to not delay action on decarbonisation.
In this conversation, Arsenio Dominguez reflects on the eventful MEPC 83 meeting that led to IMO member states approving a ‘compromise’ text comprising mandatory requirements for the GHG intensity of the energy used by ships, with penalties for non-compliant vessels based on a tiered system.
He responds to criticisms that the new IMO Net-Zero Framework is unlikely to achieve the IMO’s own GHG emissions reductions targets, insisting that the organisation remains on track to meet its ambition of reaching net-zero ‘by or around’ 2050.
Although the approval required a vote, a rare occurrence at the IMO which generally makes decisions by consensus, the Secretary-General describes the agreement as ‘an immense achievement’ and is adamant that the measure will be formally adopted in October as scheduled.
Asked what his priorities will be in the lead-up to that extraordinary MEPC session, he outlines how he will attempt to address the concerns of member states that opposed the measure in April – and explains what will be his approach to the United States, which did not attend the discussions in London, instead sending a letter to oppose the measure and threaten retaliatory action against any fees.
Arsenio Dominguez calls on ship owners, operators and fuel producers to take action, laying out a timeline for when much-anticipated guidelines will be available ahead of the planned entry into force of the new pricing mechanism in 2027.

https://www.imo.org/