The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council has recommended a second four-year term for Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, providing continuity of leadership as the global shipping industry enters a critical period of regulatory and technological change.

The recommendation was made during the IMO Council's 138th session in London, held from 2 to 6 November 2026. The Council has proposed extending Dominguez's mandate from 1 January 2028 to 31 December 2031. The appointment remains subject to approval by the IMO Assembly.

Dominguez took office in January 2024 after being elected in July 2023. His proposed second term will place him at the centre of some of the industry's most consequential decisions, particularly the development of international greenhouse gas regulations and the transition towards cleaner marine fuels.

Net-Zero Framework Tops the Regulatory Agenda

The future of the IMO Net-Zero Framework is likely to be the most closely watched issue during the coming months.

The framework, developed to establish a global emissions-reduction mechanism for international shipping, includes a marine fuel standard and an economic mechanism linked to greenhouse gas emissions.

However, disagreements among member states over its implementation, financial implications and distribution of costs led to the postponement of adoption discussions in October 2025.

The delay has created uncertainty for shipowners making long-term investment decisions. LNG dual-fuel vessels, methanol-powered ships and emerging ammonia-fuelled designs all face different commercial and regulatory considerations.

Further negotiations are scheduled for late November and early December 2026. Their outcome will influence whether the industry moves towards a more consistent global regulatory framework or continues to navigate differing national and regional requirements.

For Dominguez, securing broader agreement will be essential. The challenge is to balance ambitious emissions targets with fuel availability, technological readiness and the economic circumstances of countries at different stages of development.

China Emerging as an Important Part of the Transition

China is likely to remain an important part of the discussion, given its position across shipbuilding, marine equipment manufacturing, alternative fuel production and port infrastructure.

During a recent visit to China, Dominguez highlighted the country's investment in new technologies and alternative marine fuels. Speaking to Xinhua on 2 November, he specifically praised Shanghai's efforts to convert waste into green methanol and pointed to developments involving ammonia, hydrogen-derived fuels, methanol and ethanol.

These investments connect several parts of the maritime supply chain. Chinese shipyards are building vessels designed for alternative fuels, while domestic producers and ports are developing the infrastructure needed to support their operation.

However, the transition will require more than new vessel orders. Commercial-scale fuel production, reliable bunkering networks, internationally recognised emissions accounting and clear safety standards will all be necessary to support wider adoption.

The IMO's regulatory decisions will therefore have implications extending well beyond shipowners, affecting shipbuilders, fuel suppliers, equipment manufacturers, ports and financial institutions.

Maritime Security Remains Another Priority

Environmental regulation is only one part of the organisation's agenda.

Addressing the IMO Council on 2 November, Dominguez highlighted the continuing threats facing commercial shipping and seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz, Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea and Sea of Azov.

He also raised concerns over piracy and armed robbery in the western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.

These developments underline the importance of protecting freedom of navigation and maintaining the safety of seafarers amid geopolitical tensions. Disruptions to major shipping routes can affect voyage distances, insurance costs, vessel deployment and global supply chains.

The IMO's role in coordinating international maritime standards and facilitating cooperation among member states will remain important, particularly when political differences complicate collective responses.

A Defining Period for Global Shipping

Dominguez's proposed second term would provide continuity during a period when decisions made at the IMO are expected to influence fleet investment and maritime operations well into the next decade.

For shipowners, the key concerns will include future fuel requirements, emissions-related costs and the regulatory treatment of existing vessels. Shipbuilders and technology providers will need to anticipate changing demand, while fuel producers and ports must assess the commercial viability of infrastructure investments.

The recommendation does not resolve the disagreements facing the organisation. Instead, it gives Dominguez the opportunity to continue working towards compromises among member states with different priorities.

If approved by the Assembly, his mandate will run through the end of 2031. Whether the IMO can translate its climate ambitions into practical, internationally accepted rules will be a defining measure of his next term.