THE International Maritime Organisation votes next Tuesday to replace its secretary general and seven countries are fielding candidates for the top diplomatic job in shipping.

The four-year appointment begins on January 1, with the winner to succeed incumbent over the past eight years, South Korea’s Kitack Lim.

Bangladesh (Moin Uddin Ahmed), China (Zhang Xiajojie), Dominica (Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry), Finland (Minna Kivimäki), Kenya (Nancy Karigithu), Panama (Arsenio Dominguez) and Turkey (Suat Hayri Aka) all put forward their nominations for the position, which for the first time includes three women.

The IMO must take critical decisions over the next four years, amid heavy criticism that the pace of decarbonisation regulation will compromise the United Nation agency’s role as an international regulator.

The Secretary General will not only set the tone at the secretariat, but as the public face of the IMO must bridge divisions and steer a course that will keep the IMO relevant and respected.

As most secretarys general are re-elected for a second term, the successful candidate will take the IMO through key climate change regulations in shipping and other challenges such as autonomous shipping, a looming seafarer shortfall as well as digitalisation and other internal reorganisations.

Lloyd’s List has interviewed all candidates, asking them to explain why they nominated, and their plans for the IMO should they be successful.

First up is Panama candidate, Arsenio Dominguez, one of several favourites for the job, and known for his diplomacy and attention to detail as the director of the marine environment division at the IMO. His website and manifesto is here: http://www.ad4sg.com.

The diplomatic horse-trading for the top job is well underway at the IMO but no single candidate has emerged as a frontrunner so far, although rumours abound and few countries have made their position public.

Last time the council elected the secretary general there were multiple rounds of voting before the eventual candidate emerged.