The International Maritime Organization faces many challenges, its new leader admits.
Panama’s Arsenio Dominguez will be the IMO’s next secretary general after defeating five other candidates in a secret ballot.
The 52-year-old trained naval architect, a well-regarded figure within the organisation, will take over from South Korea’s Kitack Lim at the start of 2024.
The vote represents a victory for one of the world’s biggest flag states – but disappointment for members hoping to elect the organisation’s first female leader.
“We have faced many challenges and we have many challenges to face,” an emotional Dominguez said after the result was announced at IMO headquarters in London.
His victory was also celebrated in his homeland. Panama’s President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen said: “It is a historic day that fills us with great pride.”
Dominguez saw off challenges from candidates from China, Turkey, Finland, Dominica and Kenya to emerge victorious after several rounds of voting. The candidate from Bangladesh pulled out before the start of voting on Tuesday.
The long-term IMO insider cited the “pivotal role” he played in the adoption of the regulator’s decarbonisation strategy agreed earlier this month during a final pitch for the top job before the 40-strong council.
He promised to be “honest, impartial and decisive”.
Dominguez told reporters that his link to one of the world’s largest flag states had hampered his campaign.
“To be fair, I knew that … one of the weaknesses of my nomination from the very beginning was the fact that I come from, right now, the largest flag state, and the constant comments or criticisms that IMO has too much influence from the industry,” he said.
“One of the main things that I reiterated during my campaign is my impartiality and transparency, and I have demonstrated that.”
Panama’s registry said last month that it was reviewing more than 8,500 vessels on its books to improve standards.
It has also come under fire from a US-based pressure group tracking Iranian oil cargoes over its record in tackling sanctions breaches by vessels under its flag.
Claire Jungman, chief of staff at United Against Nuclear Iran, said: “The rise in sanctions evasions and the crucial demand for more rigorous safety checks cast doubt on the suitability of Panama's victory.”
Dominguez’s victory proved disappointing for members who wanted to see the global shipping regulator elect its first female secretary-general.
The result means a run of 64 years of male leadership will continue.
The candidates included Finland’s Minna Kivimaki; Nancy Karigithu, Kenya’s most senior maritime administrator; and Dominica’s Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, a former head of the World Maritime University.
“With three women running for the position after so many years, not to have a woman leading the organisation is unfortunate,” Doumbia-Henry told TradeWinds.
“But life is what it is. It’s my hope that in the next round that the time really must come to have a female secretary-general of the IMO.”
Dominguez pledged to improve diversity within the industry, where only 2% of seafarers are female, with the changes starting at the IMO.
“My priority will be to immediately work on the gender balance first at the highest level of the organisation, because that sends the signal and then cascades down,” he said.
Dominguez will lead the IMO during a key period as shipping seeks to fulfil its pledge to become net zero close to 2050.
He will also have to grapple with the issue of how the decarbonisation drive will be paid for after the issue of carbon pricing was left unresolved until 2025.
The body also faces safety and regulatory concerns, with the emergence of the “shadow fleet” of tankers following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Lim, who has served two four-year terms at the top of the IMO, welcomed the election of his successor, the current director of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection division.
“I have nothing to say to him — he knows every corner of the business,” Lim said.
Dominguez received broad support from the industry despite the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) warning that he had “undoubted challenges” to hit decarbonisation targets in 2030 and 2040.
“We … know that Mr Dominguez will lead with equal measures of authority, purpose and compassion,” ICS secretary general Guy Platten said.
Ship management body InterManager said: “These are pivotal times for the shipping industry. We believe Mr Dominguez will provide a steady hand at the tiller as shipping navigates its way towards a cleaner, greener and safer future.”
