Source: Maritime New Zealand
Earlier this month, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) visited New Zealand for the first time.
The IMO is the United Nations’ specialised agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping, as well as the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.
As part of his ongoing engagement across the global maritime system Mr Dominguez undertook a Pacific regional mission in August 2025. He arrived in New Zealand on Friday, 8 August, spending two days in Auckland before heading to Wellington.
While in Auckland, Mr Dominguez participated in a stakeholder workshop led by Maritime NZ Chair, Dame Jo Brosnahan. The workshop was attended by representatives from a number of key sector bodies, including Shipping New Zealand, the NZ Shipping Federation, the NZ Cargo Owners Council, and the NZ Marine Transport Association.
Maritime NZ Director Kirstie Hewlett described the session as energetic and engaging, providing the sector with an opportunity to discuss future challenges and priorities, and to hear directly from the IMO.
“The theme for the session was: Collaborative pathways to global regulation: Keeping Aotearoa New Zealand resilient and prepared for global challenges and technology change.
“This was a strong opportunity to show how there are linkages between the work that is undertaken by the IMO, down through to local operators here in New Zealand.
“Mr Dominguez was genuinely interested in what our sector had to say and this was appreciated by those in attendance,” Ms Hewlett says.
For Mr Dominguez, he viewed this as a great opportunity to listen and understand what is top of mind for key players in the New Zealand maritime sector.
“This workshop was a thoroughly enjoyable way not only to engage with the sector in New Zealand but also to learn and get a better understanding of the main priorities for the country and the region,” Mr Dominguez says.
During his time in Auckland, Mr Dominguez attended several engagements, including a ride on the new Fullers’ 360 electric hydrofoil ferry, meetings with key response sector stakeholders, and a visit to the Auckland International Seafarer Centre.
“Everyone I interacted with in New Zealand was very welcoming and ready to engage and share their knowledge and experience, and I had a fantastic time meeting and getting to know those who help keep New Zealand’s waters safe, secure, and clean.
“Getting out on the water on the police launch, and the Fullers’ 360 hydrofoil was a particular highlight, as it provided me with a practical example of the actions taken to implement the IMO regulations,” Mr Dominguez says.
Mr Dominguez also attended official engagements in Wellington, including meetings with key government stakeholders and the Associate Minister of Transport, Hon James Meager.
“These fruitful meetings allow me to dive deeper into common areas of interest, such as maritime security, shipping decarbonisation, seafarers’ welfare and the effects of the current geopolitical climate to international shipping, and how IMO and New Zealand can further cooperate to address such issues,” he says.
For Maritime NZ, this has been a great opportunity to promote the work in our country to the IMO.
“With this being the first time an IMO Secretary-General has visited New Zealand, the feedback from our people and the sector was that the visit was hugely valuable,” Ms Hewlett says.
