- Seafarer Detention in Focus as IMO Legal Committee Begins Discussions.
- IMO to Adopt Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Detained Seafarers.
- Unjust Detention of Seafarers Threatens Future of Shipping, Says IMO Chief.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Legal Committee (LEG) deals with the issues of law within the IMO’s mandate. This encompasses liability and compensation issues in ship operations, for instance, pollution, passenger claims, and wreck removal. The Committee also deals with the equitable treatment of seafarers and illegal activities on the seas affecting the safety of navigation, reports Safety4Sea.
Emphasis on the Detention of Seafarers Suspected of Crime
During his opening address at the 112th session of the Legal Committee on March 24, 2025, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez welcomed the delegates and identified a top agenda item detention of seafarers suspected of having committed crimes.
Increasing Instances of Unfair Detention
Dominguez was worried about the increasing instances of unfair detention, reiterating that these cases erode seafarer morale and discourage young professionals from entering the shipping sector. He reiterated the need to take up the Guidelines on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers Detained in Connection with Alleged Crimes, which were developed and adopted by the Joint IMO-ILO Tripartite Working Group in November 2024.
“I am actively working alongside the ILO, ITF, and other stakeholders, engaging with countries with established cases and the home nations of detained crew members to explore potential solutions. Your discussions and decisions this week will play a crucial role in these ongoing efforts.” — Arsenio Dominguez, IMO Secretary-General
Fighting Fraudulent Ship Registration and Registries
The Secretary-General also touched on issues of fraudulent ship registration and registries. He highlighted the importance of upholding high standards in shipping to facilitate compliance with IMO regulations. During the session, the Committee will consider a proposal to formulate guidelines or best practices for ship registration. Dominguez termed this as a welcome chance to step up global compliance and transparency in shipping activities.
Combating Ship Abandonment Cases
The International Transport Workers’ Federation has reported that there are a number of flag states that are standing in the way of abandonment case resolution. For this reason, the ITF has presented a review of January 1–December 31, 2024, abandonment incidents for the Legal Committee consideration.
Further Proposals on Maritime Security and Alternative Fuels
The session also features two further key proposals to be discussed:
- Alternative Fuels and Liability Regimes – Assessing the sufficiency of IMO liability and compensation regimes for new fuel technologies.
- Maritime Security Threats – Responding to new security threats that impact international shipping.
Throughout the session, the decisions of the Committee will be critical in determining future regulations and enhancing legal protection for seafarers and the wider maritime sector.
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Source: Safety4Sea
