Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109) - Opening remarks

ADDRESS OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AT THE OPENING OF THE 109TH SESSION OF THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE (MSC 109), 2 to 6 December 2024

Delivered by IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez on 2 December, 2024.

Good morning distinguished delegates, 

It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to the 109th session of the Maritime Safety Committee.

I consider it vitally important to open this session by highlighting the urgent and ongoing concern regarding the attacks on ships and seafarers in the Red Sea. These incidents not only threaten the safety and welfare of seafarers, but also endanger innocent human lives.

These reprehensible aggressions produce far-reaching consequences not only for the shipping industry but also for the global economy as a whole.

I remain committed and I will continue to work closely with all Member States, UN agencies, and stakeholders to re-establish and ensure the principle of freedom of navigation, and I urge you all to do the same.

I also call on shipowners and operators to carry out the necessary risk assessments, make responsible and sound decisions and ensure the protection of seafarers. 

As usual, your Committee has many important items on the agenda:

Allow me to highlight, for example, the item concerning maritime autonomous surface ships, which has been the focus of exemplary collaborative work and is set to meet the expectations of many stakeholders.

In the coming days and on a parallel track, you will be conducting a more in-depth study in support of the safe delivery of the IMO Strategy for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions. This will involve the assessment of alternative fuels and technologies, but also a thorough examination of the obstacles and safety gaps in the current instruments developed by this Organization.

This work is essential to the safe implementation of the IMO Strategy for Reducing Greenhouse Gases, one of the key focuses of our work and aspirations. 

The Committee will also be invited to consider several matters related to the International Safety Management Code, including the outcome of the relevant considerations on violence and harassment by the Joint ILO/IMO Working Group, and recommendations emanating from the Study on the effectiveness and implementation of the ISM Code. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely urge Member States to consider the possibility of accession to the Capetown Agreement. Such accession will allow the Agreement to enter into force, thereby filling the missing gap for fishing vessels safety. 

While you have a heavy workload related to maritime safety and security, I am confident that your Committee will progress under the capable leadership of your Chair, Mrs. Mayte Medina of the United States, ably supported by the Vice-Chair, Capt. Mozas of Greece, as well as the staff of the Maritime Safety Division and supporting divisions, you will be able to successfully achieve the objectives set for this session. 

Before closing, I would remind you that at 6 p.m. this evening, the IMO Awards Ceremony will be held in the Main Hall, followed by a reception. I invite you all to take part in this important annual event.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

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