60 SUOMEN MERENKULKU ■ FINLANDS SJÖFART development that would also assist us in providing the training and the qualifications for the seafarers of the future. What is important to acknowledge is that we are working already on it. We know the numbers, we know the challenges, it’s time for us to start looking into the actions. HK: Whilst our members are supportive of decarbonisation efforts, they do have very real concerns about the potential safety implications involved, particularly in a rapid transition to new fuels. How can we ensure that the urgency of the decarbonisation effort does not lead to a reduction in safety standards? AD: The best answer is that the rules organisations are not there to reduce the standards of their effectiveness, only to improve it. That’s based on experience, as well as the all the data that we gathered from the information. We started by talking about how IMO was born on safety. Yes, we are hugely involved in protecting the environment, but safety is paramount. I need to keep repeating that. We will revise all the safety aspects, and we will provide the necessary requirements to handle it. This is a transition. This is not happening overnight. The goal for 2030 is an uptake of 5%, aiming at 10% of alternative fuels. So, we have the time to roll ” If we want to attract and retain seafarers, we need to treat them with respect, we need to provide them better conditions. ” Screenshot from the NautilusTV video interview with Arsenio Dominguez at www.youtube.com/@ nautilusint out the process in relation to how we’re going to provide that assistance for training, but we’re not going to just rush into something that is not safe. HK: What steps is the IMO taking to ensure that the rights of seafarers are protected, particularly around fair treatment and wages and working conditions? AD: I think we can do better. I’m going to be very honest on that. We need to continue to pay attention to what are the needs of the seafarers. There are several regulations that we are developing right now to protect seafarers onboard, mostly in relation to sexual harassment, sexual assault, or harassment and assault, and protecting seafarers in cases of criminalisation. If we want to attract and retain seafarers, we need to treat them with respect, we need to provide them better conditions. There’s a lot that we can do, that the industry can do, that doesn’t cost that much, but will demonstrate that we know how important seafarers are. And we are listening. This is an edited transcript of a video interview with IMO secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez Watch the full interview at NautilusTV: www.youtube.com/@nautilusint T.
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