“I always look forward to a good outcome, but we have to be pragmatic,” says Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). “We work by consensus, but we also have voting procedures in the IMO, which have always been on the table.”
Dominguez was setting the tone for the difficult effort to reach consensus on the global net zero framework.
The head of the organization, who is in Athens for Posidonia 2026, told Kathimerini about intention for the green transition, directly responding to the concerns of ocean-going shipping. Sending a clear message to Brussels, it stresses the need to avoid regulatory fragmentation and the imposition of double charges through regional systems, such as the European Emissions Trading System.
At the same time, he said the billions collected from environmental fees will remain strictly within the sector, supporting research, early movers and seafarers.
He attaches particular importance to the strategic role of Greek shipping and notes that this country is extremely active in international negotiations, while calling on Greek shipowners to lead developments.
