IMO chief urges ship-breaking safety

International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Secretary General, Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco, called on all stakeholders in Pakistan's ship-breaking industry to rigorously comply with established safety protocols. He stressed that strict adherence to these guidelines is essential not only to protect the workers engaged in this high-risk occupation but also to safeguard the environment and ecosystems surrounding the ship-breaking yards. Breaking and recycling ships, when done responsibly, can ensure both worker safety and environmental sustainability.

During his visit to the Gadani ship-breaking yard, the IMO chief expressed his satisfaction with Pakistan's efforts to comply with the Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling. He recognised Pakistan's vast potential in the global ship-breaking industry and expressed interest in future visits to monitor progress.

The IMO secretary general also laid the foundation stone for a hospital dedicated to ship-breaking workers and an industrial wastewater treatment plant, key initiatives to improve worker welfare and environmental health at the site. He was accompanied by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh and other senior officials.

National and international experts, speaking at the third day of the International Maritime Sustainability Exhibition & Conference (IMSEC) 2024, underscored the significance of the maritime economy.

In his remarks at the event's closing ceremony, Dominguez reaffirmed the IMO's commitment to providing Pakistan with technical support to enhance its maritime capabilities, particularly in ship recycling and fisheries. He said, "We have outlined several plans and strategies during this conference, and I am confident that Pakistan will continue to grow its shipping, recycling, and fisheries sectors while focusing on environmental sustainability."

Pakistan Navy's Commander of the Fleet, Admiral Faisal Abbasi, praised the country's maritime security, noting that its waters have remained free of piracy.

Abbasi announced that the next maritime conference will take place in November 2025, featuring expanded programmes aimed at strengthening Pakistan's role in the global maritime industry.