IMO Secretary-General receives honorary doctorate from Plymouth University

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization – the United Nations agency concerned with maritime safety and security and the prevention of marine pollution from ships – has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Plymouth University.

Koji Sekimizu received an Honorary Doctorate of Business at a special ceremony held at the University’s Marine Station teaching and research facility in recognition of his 40-year career in the sector.

Mr Sekimizu, from Japan, has held a number of roles at the IMO, and was elected its seventh Secretary-General in 2011. He has led the development and implementation of a significant number of international rules and regulations in relation to maritime safety, security and protection of the marine environment.

As part of the ceremony, Mr Sekimizu took a tour of the Marine Station, which was formally opened by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco in October. He then offered a keynote address in which he spoke about his life at the IMO, and his perspective on maritime heritage and history.

The IMO has its headquarters in London, and comprises 171 member states and three associate members. Mr Sekimuzu joined in 1989 as Technical Officer from the Ministry of Transport in Japan, and since then, has had various roles within the organisation, including heading up the Technology Section; Director of the Marine Environment Division; and Director of the Maritime Safety Division.

Among a number of honours he has received, Mr Sekimizu is an Honorary Member of the International Federation of Shipmasters' Associations, and an Honorary Member of the Master Mariners Association. He has received the Golden Anchor Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Halert C. Shepherd Award from the American Chamber of Shipping, and the Order of Maritime Merit, from France.

Professor David Coslett, Interim Vice-Chancellor, said the University was honoured to add its own recognition of Mr Sekimizu’s achievements.

“Plymouth University has been educating and training in the maritime sphere for more than 150 years,” Professor Coslett said. “We recognise the important role the IMO plays in shaping how we interact with, and conduct business across, the marine environment. Mr Sekimizu has, in his distinguished career, made a huge contribution to a host of truly global issues through his work with and leadership of the IMO. He is also committed to the promotion of international maritime education and training and collaboration between maritime universities, something we whole-heartedly endorse.”