At the opening of the 112th session of the Legal Committee (LEG 112) on March 24, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez addressed pressing legal issues facing the maritime sector, starting with the growing number of seafarers detained on criminal suspicions. The five-day session, running from March 24 to 28 at the International Maritime Organization, draws industry and legal experts to examine new guidelines, frameworks, and proposed work programmes impacting global shipping.
The Secretary-General noted a concerning rise in incidents where seafarers are unjustly detained in connection with alleged crimes. He warned this trend poses risks to both seafarer morale and the long-term sustainability of maritime employment. “These cases not only undermine seafarers’ morale but also discourage young talent from pursuing a career at sea,” he told delegates.
As a direct response, the Committee is expected to adopt new Guidelines on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers Detained in Connection with Alleged Crimes. These guidelines were finalized last November by the Joint IMO-ILO Tripartite Working Group. The move signals a coordinated effort to address the emotional and legal uncertainty seafarers face during detainment.
Dominguez emphasized that he is actively collaborating with the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), and governments—both those where crew members are detained and their home countries. These dialogues aim to foster legal clarity and ensure due process is respected across jurisdictions.
Turning to the issue of fraudulent ship registration, the Secretary-General reinforced the urgency of protecting the integrity of flag registries. Delegates will review a proposed new output focused on developing guidelines or best practices for ship registration. Dominguez stated that maintaining a transparent and compliant registry system is “of the utmost importance to ensure compliance with the IMO’s regulatory framework.”
The Committee will also explore two additional proposals: one concerning whether current IMO liability and compensation regimes are suitable for alternative fuels, and another tackling maritime security threats. Both topics are gaining traction as shipping transitions toward greener energy and navigates increasing regional security concerns.
As a follow-up to this week’s deliberations, the IMO will co-host a workshop with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on Friday. The workshop will expand discussions around ship registration and further reinforce legal alignment among maritime states.
Throughout the week, delegates will work under the guidance of the Committee’s Chair and Vice-Chair, with support from the Legal Affairs and External Relations Division and other IMO divisions. Dominguez closed his remarks by encouraging all attendees to engage fully in the discussions .
