Indian delegation engages with IMO Secretary-General at Singapore Maritime Week 2026

SINGAPORE : At the sidelines of Singapore Maritime Week 2026, the Indian delegation held a high-level bilateral meeting with Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening global maritime cooperation and governance.

The Indian delegation, comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Directorate General of Shipping, the High Commission of India in Singapore, and the Shipping Corporation of India, engaged in comprehensive discussions on India’s expanding role within the IMO framework. The dialogue highlighted India’s continued contribution to maritime safety, regulatory development, and capacity-building initiatives across the global shipping ecosystem.
The meeting underscored India’s recent re-election to the IMO Council under Category B, reflecting the international community’s confidence in India’s leadership and its growing influence in shaping maritime policies. Both sides reviewed ongoing collaborations and explored opportunities to deepen technical cooperation, particularly in areas such as digitalization of shipping, maritime decarbonization, and adoption of green technologies.

Discussions also focused on pressing global maritime challenges, including supply chain disruptions, geopolitical uncertainties affecting trade routes, and the need for enhanced maritime security. India emphasized the importance of coordinated international efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of seafarers, advocating for stronger legal protections, timely crew changes, and improved working conditions.

Further, the delegation reiterated India’s commitment to sustainable maritime growth, aligning with IMO’s environmental targets, including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and promotion of cleaner fuels. The need for resilient and future-ready maritime infrastructure, alongside inclusive growth in the blue economy, was also highlighted. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides expressing their intent to strengthen collaboration in advancing a safe, secure, and sustainable global maritime sector, while reinforcing shared priorities of innovation, resilience, and seafarer-centric policies.