Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110) - Closing remarks
ADDRESS OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AT THE CLOSING OF THE 110TH SESSION OF THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE (MSC 110), 18 to 27 June 2025
Delivered by IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez on 27 June 2025
Distinguished delegates,
We have come to the end of another session of the Maritime Safety Committee, which once again achieved many important accomplishments.
Allow me to highlight just some of the important achievements:
The drafting of the non-mandatory MASS Code has seen significant progress at this session, leaving one chapter to be finalized out of twenty-five. Finalization seems to be one step away. Necessary adjustments have been made to the Road Map on development of the MASS Code, with more work to do towards finalization.
With regard to a safety regulatory framework to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships using new technologies and alternative fuels, instructions on specific tasks for each Sub-Committee, and information to be submitted to relevant Committees, were developed to initiate or continue work on a safety regulatory framework to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships using new technologies and alternative fuels.
You have agreed the next steps on maritime cybersecurity.
You have adopted amendments to SOLAS and related instruments strengthening safety-related requirements concerning pilot transfer arrangements, including mandatory performance standards.
You have also adopted amendments to SOLAS chapter II-2 and related instruments mandatory under the SOLAS Convention, and approved draft amendments to the LSA Code inserting new implementation provisions for clarity.
You have made decisions related to the ISM Code, in particular comprehensive revision of guidelines on implementation of the Code by Administrations and companies, taking into account the outcome of considerations on violence and harassment by the Joint ILO/IMO Working Group, and recommendations from the Study on the effectiveness and implementation of the Code.
Furthermore, you have taken the remarkable decision to start a review of the provisions linked with fatigue and hours of work and rest.
As regards to the Group of Chairs, you have started the newly established process for the preliminary assessment of proposals for new outputs. The Group of Chairs has already demonstrated its value, supporting the Committee in carrying out a more structured, transparent, and consistent assessment of new output proposals. As the process evolves, it will become an essential tool for planning the Committee’s technical work and managing its workload.
Normally my closing statements are short, but on this occasion I will prolong it longer than usual to express my appreciation.
My sincere appreciation goes to your Chair, Mrs. Mayte Medina of the United States, in her last meeting as Chair. But I will come back to you later.
I would also like to thank your Vice-Chair, Mr. Theofilos Mozas of Greece, for his support throughout this session, in particular chairing the GHG Safety WG. And I reiterate my congratulations for your election as President of the Committee.
My thanks also go to the Chairs of the working and drafting groups:
Mr. Henrik Tunfors of Sweden;
Mr. Vusi September of South Africa; and
Mr. Christian Allgeier of Germany, who ensured successful outcomes for their respective groups.
As always, this is also an opportune moment to express our gratitude to those delegates and experts who are leaving and concluding their tenure with us and for whom this marks the final session of the Committee:
Mr. Ricardo Romero of Argentina;
Mrs. Caroline Branco, Brazil;
Ms. Michelle Sanders of Canada;
Ms. Lia Melikishvili of Georgia;
Mr. Kohei Iwaki of Japan;
Mr. Chakir El Aissaoui of Morocco;
Mr. Eduardo Zamora Chung of Peru;
Mr. Abdulaziz Abdullah Al-Sulaiti of Qatar; and
Mr. Shaun Rogers of the United Kingdom.
A number of long-serving IMO staff are also due to retire, and I would mention, in particular:
Ms. Heike Deggim;
Mr. Brice Martin-Castex;
Ms. Tatjana Krilic; and
Mr. Vincent Job whose contributions to the work of the Committee and the Organization have been appreciated by all concerned. I am sure you all join me in wishing them well for the future.
Another long-serving staff retiring later this year is the current Director and Secretary of the Committee.
I wish to take this opportunity to say a few words about Mr. Hiroyuki Yamada. Hiro, as we fondly call him joined the Secretariat in 2005, beginning his dedicated service at the Organization in the Marine Technology Section, then, the Cargo Section of the Maritime Safety Division – a section he would eventually go on to lead. Over the past two decades, Hiro has served under four Secretary-Generals, a testament to both his enduring commitment to the Organization and the trust placed in him over the years.
Before joining IMO, Hiro had an accomplished career with the Government of Japan, where he worked in various maritime roles, and represented Japan at IMO meetings while serving as First Secretary at the Japanese Embassy in London, actively participating in the work of the IMO’s key committees and bodies.
Hiro is known for his quiet determination, composure and professionalism. Throughout his career, he has remained very respectful in all his interactions - with colleagues, Member States, and external stakeholders alike.
Equally, many of us will remember Hiro for his kindness and humility. He has always gone out of his way to acknowledge and thank those who assisted him - whether it was arranging travel for one of his missions or responding to a small request. This simple yet sincere gesture of gratitude, shown time and again over the years, reflects the genuine respect and consideration he shows to everyone around him.
Hiro’s career has seen him take on several diverse and high-level management roles, including Directors of the Conference Division, Marine Environment Division and most recently, as Director of Maritime Safety Division.
Because of that, Hiro has been involved in a wide range of initiatives, from leading the Secretariat’s support to the MSC and the MEPC sessions to implementing hybrid meeting capabilities at IMO post-COVID pandemic.
Beyond the office, Hiro is also known for his adventurous side – particularly his love of travelling and skiing. Those who know him well will remember when he came to work with a broken leg, sustained during one of his skiing trips. Despite the injury, Hiro continued to fulfil his responsibilities with the same dedication and composure we have all come to associate with him.
It has been a privilege for all of us to work alongside him. On behalf of the Secretariat and the entire IMO family, I would like to say: thank you very much for your service and commitment to the Organization. Dōmo arigatō gozaimashita.
Distinguished delegates,
Let me thank the staff of the Maritime Safety Division for their dedication as a team. As usual, my thanks also go to all staff in the Secretariat involved in MSC 110 and special thanks, as always, go to the interpreters for facilitating our communication which, in view of the highly technical nature of this Committee, can be a challenging task. I wish you all a pleasant weekend and a safe journey.
But before I conclude, I also wish to take this moment to saw a few words about our Chair, and to many of us, a dear friend.
As this session of the Maritime Safety Committee draws to a close, we also mark the conclusion of Mayte’s tenure as Chair of this Committee. Madam Chair, you once again demonstrated outstanding decision-making skills and excellent leadership in steering the affairs of the Committee to great success as always.
Mayte’s contributions to IMO over the years have been nothing short of remarkable. Having represented the United States with distinction for many years, she has been a strong, consistent voice in countless IMO bodies and working groups. Her leadership, particularly in this Committee, has been defined by her firm yet fair approach, her deep subject-matter expertise, and her commitment to maritime safety and, above all, to the welfare of seafarers.
Those who know Mayte well recognize her true passion for human element issues, especially training and certification. Her love for the Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping Sub-Committee (HTW) and her dedication to improving the lives and working conditions of seafarers is well known across this Organization.
But beyond her technical competence and her policy expertise, Mayte has always brought her full humanity to this Organization. Her kind and compassionate nature shines through, even when dealing with complex or contentious discussions. She is known for her no-nonsense attitude - always direct and efficient - but always remaining diplomatic, respectful, and attentive to the views of all delegations. She has a special ability to balance firmness with empathy leading with authority but also with heart.
Mayte also adds a unique personal touch to her work here at IMO. Who among us will forget her cheerful introductions to MSC sessions, often with creative references, whether it is her famous mention of the MSC “piggy bank” or her well-timed humour that lifts the mood of the room during intense negotiations.
Beyond her IMO life, Mayte has many talents beyond the meeting rooms. A great dancer, a skilled tailor – she has proudly worn outfits she has sewn herself to IMO meetings. On top of that, she makes beautiful jewellery, especially necklaces – another example of her creativity and attention to detail.
And who could forget her beloved cats, who accompanied her during the virtual meetings of the pandemic, making unexpected but welcome appearances on screen?
Mayte has worked across government, international organizations, and industry from her early days with the Panama Maritime Administration to her leadership roles in the United States Coast Guard, and of course, her service here at IMO and other UN bodies including ILO and WHO.
She enjoys teaching and mentoring younger professionals and is passionate about transferring her experience to the next generation of maritime leaders.
Mayte, you are a role model, a mentor, and a friend to many here. Your legacy will live on in the work of this Committee, in the policies you have helped shape, and in the many younger professionals you have trained and inspired along the way.
Mayte, as a fellow Panamanian, I must say how proud I am of your achievements. You have been a role model for many, inspiring women and men alike across the global maritime community.
Today is also special because your family is here with us, witnessing firsthand the high regard and affection we all have for you. On behalf of everyone at IMO, I would like to thank your family for their support over the years — the long hours, the travel, and the many sacrifices that allowed you to dedicate yourself so fully to this work.
As you now move on to this new chapter in your life, we hope you will finally have more time to enjoy the things you love most — with your family by your side.
Mayte, we wish you all the best for the future. Fair winds and following seas.
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