Arsenio Dominguez, the new secretary-general of IMO, discusses the highs and lows of his career in the maritime sector
Arsenio Dominguez joined the IMO Secretariat in 2017, first as chief of staff to the secretary-general, Kitack Lim, then as director of the organisation’s Administrative Division. Mr Dominguez was elected by the IMO Council as secretary-general and after approval by the Assembly at the end of November 2023, he should start his duties on 1 January 2024.
His maritime career began in 1996 as a port engineer before he moved to become a drydock assistant manager.
In 1998, Mr Dominguez moved to London to join the Panama Maritime Authority as head of the technical and documentation regional office for Europe and North of Africa. He went on to represent Panama in a variety of roles at the organization, culminating in 2014 with his appointment as Panama’s ambassador and permanent representative to IMO until 2017.
Between 2014 and 2017, Mr Dominguez chaired IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), and in 2015 he chaired the Technical Committee of the 25th session of the IMO Assembly. Prior to this, between 2010 and 2014, he chaired the Maritime Security – Piracy and Armed Robbery Working Group under the auspices of the organisation’s Maritime Safety Committee.
“I knew that, in some form or another, shipping was destined to be my future”
How and why did you enter in the shipping industry?
After living next to the technical wonder that is the Panama Canal, and being inspired by the majesty of huge, floating man-made marvels, I knew that in some form or another, shipping was destined to be my future.
Who was your childhood hero and why?
My mother; a strong woman from a humble background and with limited education, she was always tenacious, entrepreneurial and good humoured, always finding ways to support the family.
What has been your best moment in shipping?
I would have to say it was the day I was elected as the next secretary-general of IMO.
What has been your worst moment in shipping?
Seeing and hearing how the COVID-19 pandemic had a devastatingly negatively effect on the physical and emotional well-being of seafarers around the world.
What has been your funniest moment in shipping?
Getting an uncontrollable attack of the giggles when chairing my first MPEC meeting. It did, however, serve me well in breaking the ice and the moment is still available in the audio records at IMO.
Who have you learnt the most from?
My father, particularly in my elementary school years, encouraging me to challenge myself and try new things, such as oratory competitions and studying abroad, which became extremely useful in my professional career.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Low budget, trashy horror movies.
Where is your favourite location?
A snowy mountain.
What is your one regret in shipping?
Since I don’t live with regrets, there is nothing I feel I should have, or not have, done in my shipping career. If you had asked me about my dream of becoming a professional tennis player, well that’s a whole other conversation…
What would be your advice to a young person starting in shipping?
Study, ask questions, listen to good advice, make the most of the opportunities in life and always be humble.
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