{"id":20253,"date":"2026-03-10T00:32:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T23:32:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maritimafrica.com\/en\/?p=20253"},"modified":"2026-03-10T00:32:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T23:32:15","slug":"imo-secretary-general-opens-sub-committee-on-ship-systems-and-equipment-with-call-to-respect-freedom-of-navigation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maritimafrica.com\/en\/imo-secretary-general-opens-sub-committee-on-ship-systems-and-equipment-with-call-to-respect-freedom-of-navigation\/","title":{"rendered":"IMO Secretary-General opens Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment with call to respect freedom of navigation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Mr. Arsenio Dominguez addressed the IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment on Monday 9 March as it convenes its 12th session (9-13 March) at IMO headquarters in London. His full speech is below:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“Good morning distinguished delegates.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I am pleased to welcome you all to the\u00a0twelfth\u00a0session of the Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

As we open this session of the SSE\u00a0Sub-Committee, I must express my\u00a0grave\u00a0concern\u00a0regarding\u00a0the recent attacks on merchant vessels in the region of the Strait of Hormuz, which have resulted in at least\u00a0seven\u00a0fatalities and several injured seafarers, some of them gravely.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

As I have said on\u00a0numerous\u00a0occasions, any\u00a0attack on innocent seafarers or civilian shipping is\u00a0unacceptable.\u00a0These\u00a0seafarers\u00a0are simply carrying out their duties\u00a0and performing an essential service to the global community, ensuring the continued flow of goods and energy, and\u00a0they must be protected from the consequences of broader geopolitical tensions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

All\u00a0parties\u00a0without exception, and I repeat, without\u00a0exception,\u00a0must\u00a0respect the freedom of navigation, which a\u00a0fundamental principle of international maritime law.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I continue to\u00a0monitor\u00a0the situation closely, and I reiterate my call for all shipping companies to exercise maximum caution when\u00a0operating\u00a0in the affected region.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

My thoughts are also with the many seafarers who\u00a0remain\u00a0at sea in areas of\u00a0heightened\u00a0risk, especially those\u00a0who are\u00a0directly\u00a0impacted\u00a0by the instability in and around the Strait of Hormuz. They continue to perform their duties under challenging and uncertain circumstances as\u00a0tensions escalate.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

As I have emphasized publicly, I urge all stakeholders to remain vigilant against disinformation and to rely only on verified, authoritative sources when making operational decisions.<\/em><\/p>\n

To support this,\u00a0the Organization has\u00a0made\u00a0available a\u00a0dedicated webpage<\/a>\u00a0where regularly updated\u00a0and verified\u00a0information on the evolving situation\u00a0is published, ensuring that seafarers, companies, and administrations can access reliable information directly from\u00a0IMO.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I stand\u00a0in solidarity\u00a0with the injured seafarers,\u00a0with\u00a0the families of those who have lost loved ones, and\u00a0with\u00a0all crews who continue to keep global shipping moving under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Their safety and welfare remain my highest priority.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

International Women’s Day<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Yesterday, 8 March, marked International Women\u2019s Day, celebrated globally under the theme \u201cRights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.\u201d This year, the United Nations is calling for action to dismantle the barriers that continue to stand in the way of equal justice: discriminatory laws, weak legal protections, and harmful practices and social norms that erode the rights of women and girls.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

In the maritime sector, we all have a role to play in breaking down institutional barriers that hinder – rather than enhance – diversity and inclusion. Recent evidence from the Women in Maritime Survey provides a clear picture of where we stand: it highlights the policies and measures already in place across the sector, while also\u00a0identifying\u00a0the critical gaps that\u00a0remain\u00a0and where further action is needed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

From our side,\u00a0at IMO,\u00a0we are focusing\u00a0on\u00a0\u00a0recognizing\u00a0the women in maritime who drive innovation, leadership, and positive change every day.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

2026-2027 World Maritime Theme<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The 2026 World Maritime Theme, “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence<\/a>” underscores the importance of translating regulatory ambition into effective implementation.\u00a0The SSE\u00a0Sub-Committee\u2019s\u00a0work directly reinforces this\u00a0ambition,\u00a0ensuring\u00a0that new safety standards can be implemented effectively and consistently across the fleet.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Agenda of SSE 12th session<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The Sub-Committee\u2019s agenda, as usual,\u00a0is\u00a0structured\u00a0around two\u00a0main\u00a0pillars: Life-Saving Appliances and Fire Protection.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On\u00a0Life-Saving\u00a0Appliances, the Sub-Committee\u00a0will advance work on ventilation requirements for partially enclosed lifeboats, continue the goal-based revision of chapter III and the LSA Code, and address outstanding issues related to self-righting and canopied reversible life\u00a0rafts for new ships. These discussions involve both technical and regulatory considerations, including testing provisions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On\u00a0the\u00a0Fire Protection agenda, the Sub-Committee is tasked with a comprehensive modernization of the 2010 FTP Code,\u00a0which\u00a0is\u00a0essential for aligning IMO instruments with modern shipbuilding materials.\u00a0Additionally, you will continue\u00a0the\u00a0work to improve SOLAS regulation II-2\/9, transforming years of non-mandatory Unified Interpretations into clear, mandatory regulatory text\u00a0regarding\u00a0fire containment.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

One of\u00a0your most urgent tasks is addressing the detection and control of fires on containerships\u00a0and this session will\u00a0progress\u00a0towards finalization\u00a0of\u00a0amendments to SOLAS\u00a0on\u00a0portable infrared thermal imagers and on\u00a0water mist lances\u00a0and\u00a0developing associated guidelines.\u00a0You will\u00a0also tackle the specific hazards posed by the carriage of New Energy Vehicles, including battery-electric vehicles, which present unique risks of thermal runaway and re-ignition. The Sub-Committee will consider proposals to\u00a0enhance early fire detection and verification measures\u00a0and assess\u00a0effectiveness of\u00a0existing\u00a0fire suppression systems.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Finally, we are\u00a0initiating\u00a0the development of a safety regulatory framework for GHG emissions reduction.\u00a0With the number of battery-equipped ships expected to grow by 40% in the coming years and potentially reaching nearly 18% of the global fleet by 2050,\u00a0the development of interim guidelines for ships using Battery Energy Storage Systems will provide a much-needed global framework, supporting safe implementation while the regulatory regime continues to mature.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I am confident that under the capable leadership of your\u00a0new\u00a0Chair, Mr. Hironori\u00a0Eguro, of Japan, supported by\u00a0your experienced\u00a0Vice-Chair, Mr.\u00a0Cristiano\u00a0Aliperta, of Palau, you will engage in constructive discussions and reach agreement on the matters before you.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I invite you all to the welcome reception in the Delegates’ Lounge after the close of today’s business.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you.”<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0***<\/p>\n