Dominguez worked as a port engineer in Panama before becoming a Drydock Assistant Manager at the Braswell Shipyard. During this time he also served as Chair of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) from 2014 to 2017. The new Secretary-General was approved by the IMO Assembly unanimously on 30 November 2023.
Secretary-General Dominguez assumed office as the 10th Secretary-General of the IMO on 1 January 2024 and released a New Year's Message to the shipping industry. On 3 January 2024, in a speech to the
United Nations Security Council Dominguez condemned the
Houthi attacks against international shipping in the
Red Sea. On 10 January, he announced a new senior leadership at the IMO. On 22 January, Dominguez gave an opening address to the 10th Session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC), calling for the immediate release of the
Galaxy Leader and its crew. In February 2024, Dominguez called for a de-escalation of tensions which was causing the ongoing attacks in the Red Sea and stated that the IMO were working to facilitate talks on maritime security between relevant parties. In April 2024, at Singapore Maritime Week, Dominguez stated that the IMO was on track to reach its stated goals in reducing greenhouse emissions according to its planned timeline. In May 2024, at the 108th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 108) Dominguez opened the session and highlighted the ongoing attacks on shipping and the need to protect seafarers. In September 2024, he spoke at the launch of the
DNV Maritime Forecast event at SMM
Hamburg. He called on the maritime industry to maintain faith in the IMO as it continues to lead shipping towards requirements for decarbonisation and environmental protection. He urged that ships not be targeted because of politics as conflict endangers the lives of seafarers, as well as threaten international food security. ==Personal life==