International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Visits Singapore Under the Ministry of Transport’s Distinguished Visitors’ Programme

1.      Mr Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), visited Singapore from 15 to 19 April 2024 under the Ministry of Transport’s Distinguished Visitors’ Programme (DVP). The visit was also in conjunction with the Singapore Maritime Week (SMW), organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

2.     During his visit, Mr Dominguez met Mr Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Transport, Singapore, where they discussed how the IMO and Singapore can further collaborate to advance the interests of the international shipping industry. These include promoting navigational safety, digitalisation, decarbonisation, and the development of maritime human resources. Mr Dominguez also met Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the MPA, where they exchanged views on further IMO-MPA collaboration supporting the green and digital transformation of the maritime sector, including the training and upskilling of seafarers. Mr Dominguez also met other senior officials from the MOT, MPA and the industry.

3.     On 15 April 2024, Mr Dominguez spoke at the Singapore Maritime Lecture during the opening of SMW. He also delivered the opening remarks at the Accelerating Digitalisation and Decarbonisation Conference, which brought together thought leaders, policy makers, researchers, and industry experts to explore the intersection of digitalisation and decarbonisation to chart the course towards a sustainable and efficient maritime future.

4.     Mr Dominguez visited the exhibition, Expo@SMW, held in conjunction with SMW, and interacted with many maritime start-ups piloting new technologies, and companies supplying green fuels for the maritime sector. Mr Dominguez also participated in lively discussions with local, trade, and international media at a Media Fireside Chat. Other highlights of Mr Dominguez’s trip to Singapore include his visit to the PSA and the Singapore Maritime Academy Training Centre, where he observed the latest innovations and advancements in port technology and green fuel shipping, as well as training opportunities and advanced simulation facilities for students and maritime industry professionals in Singapore. He also participated in safety drills onboard the Singapore-flagged ammonia-powered vessel Fortescue Green Pioneer which successfully completed the world’s first use of ammonia as a marine fuel.

^{Mr Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Transport and SecondMinister for Finance with International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Mr Arsenio Dominguez at the Singapore Maritime Week 2024}