Maritime

Minister of the Environment, the Hon. Earl Deveaux has announced that the Bahamas Government is looking to amend legislation to help boost the maritime industry. His comments came during yesterday’s media conference on the [Bahamas International Maritime Conference and Trade Show](http://www.bahamasinternationalmaritimeconference.com) (BIMCATS), scheduled to open next week in Grand Bahama. The event is being hosted by the Ministry of the Environment and the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA), and Minister Deveaux anticipates that a key topic to be addressed by various industry experts will be how to maximize profits in the shipping industry. *”In particular, we are looking to focus on the wealth management linkages,”* Minister Deveaux said. *”The maritime sector greatly complements our financial services sector. It has a huge draw for employment because the captains, stewards, dockhands and all the services these boats require add immeasurably to our overall tourism product and the second home market. Many of the people that own large boats have second homes and have lots of money.”* He added, *”A lot of boats and mega yachts come to The Bahamas and many are registered elsewhere. So we are aggressively pursuing ways and means to amend our legislation to attract registering some of these vessels here.”* As The Bahamas currently ranks as the third largest ship registry in the world he believes there is a lot more money to be made in the maritime industry. The BMA generates approximately $15 million annually based on ship registry fees. The proposed amended legislation reportedly will include laws that adjust the customs and tax regime. The Bahamas recently enacted an Arbitration Act, a feature of great value to international shipping. Other topics expected to be up for discussion at the second annual BIMCATS include climate change and the international shipping industry, as well as careers available in the field. *”Our dream is to increasingly expose Bahamians to these opportunities,”* the Minister said. *”Think about it. On a very basic level, nursing, hairdressing, cooking, all the things you do in a hotel can be done on a ship on a two-week interval, six-week interval or three-month interval.”* The conference and trade show will be held February 9-12 at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort, in Freeport, Grand Bahama under the Theme [*”The Maritime Sector and the Environment](https://bfsb-bahamas.com/news.php?cmd=view&id=2894&pre=y)”.*

The Hon. Earl D. Deveaux, Minister for The Environment, has announced the appointment of Commodore Davey F. Rolle, former Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, as the first Bahamian Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA). The BMA, which administers the third largest ship register in the world, has offices in London, New York and Nassau, and agencies in Japan, Germany and Greece. Commodore Rolle, comes to The Bahamas Maritime Authority with extensive experience in the maritime sector through his military career, which spanned over a near thirty year period; ten of which he held the post as Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. He has been commended for his dedicated, exemplary service, both within The Bahamas and the Caribbean Region. As Managing Director, Commodore Rolle, will have full responsibility for the day to day management of the Authority, and will work closely with the Board to ensure that The Bahamas Maritime Authority continues to meet the needs of its ship-owners, fulfil its obligations to relevant international organizations, (e.g. IMO and ILO), and remain the “flag of choice” within the industry. Cmdr. Rolle holds an Engineering Degree from the Royal Naval Engineering College in Devon, England, and currently serves as The Bahamas’ Ambassador to Haiti and non-resident Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. He is expected to take up his appointment in early January 2010.

The 22nd Posidonia exhibition will open its gates in June 2010 to welcome the international shipping community, at the Hellenikon Exhibition Centre (site of the former Athens Airport). Already the largest maritime nations and the most prestigious shipping organizations have confirmed their participation, with a reported 80+ countries and 20 national pavilions confirmed for the June 7-11, 2010 event. ##POSIDONIA 2010 Charts Global Shipping’s Recovery Route## India and China have pledged their largest presence at Posidonia. According to the organisers of Posidonia the pace of growth of the two economies is estimated to continue unabated and their insatiable appetite for energy and commodity resources and strong export outlooks are likely to increase demand for seaborne trade curbing overcapacity concerns on certain trade lanes. *“Every two years Posidonia is the barometre of global shipping trends reflecting the sector’s pace of growth and prevailing sentiments in boardrooms across key shipping markets worldwide,”* said Nana Michael, Managing Director, Posidonia Events S.A. *“At Posidonia 2010, the world’s maritime community will examine the impact of the global financial meltdown on seaborne trade, ports, logistics and newbuildings,”* she said. *“With its first-ever National Pavilion India signals significant growth potential for the international shipping industry as the Sub Continent powerhouse’s economy continues to project handsome nine per cent growth rates for 2010,”* said Ms. Michael, who continued, *“And China, a traditional Posidonia heavyweight, will also surpass previous appearances by staging two national pavilions for the first time at Posidonia 2010.”* The Asian domination of world shipbuilding’s fortunes will further be highlighted at Posidonia 2010 with the large-scale participation of Japan, Korea and Singapore and the stand alone presence of some of the region’s largest shipyards which continue to leverage the event as the best sales and branding opportunity for their services in the western hemisphere. Bigger Posidonia national pavilions by traditional European maritime nations Holland, UK, France also signify optimism for world shipping as indeed does the larger confirmed participation of Denmark and Romania, the return of Norway with a national pavilion and the comeback of Sweden for its second consecutive Posidonia participation. *“With over six months to go till the opening day in early June, applications and bookings for Posidonia come in fast and frequently,”* the Managing Director points out. *“We are seeing many new bookings in floor space from both the private and government sectors in the middle east with Oman Dry Dock Company and Sharjah and Hamriyah Free Zone Authority as examples. Another important feature of the exhibition is the strong participation from the lubricants sector, with Castrol Marine and Chevron Marine Products confirming big spaces.”* Posidonia will again maintain a strong position in a weaker market, as has been the case during past economic crises that affected the shipping industry. Some 20,000 trade visitors are expected to attend the exhibition, breaking the previous record set in 2008. This number is likely to grow as the world is emerging from the recession with many of them expected to focus on three key growth areas, shipbuilding, ship equipment and service industries. Organisers also expect to welcome more than 1,700 exhibitors from 80 countries. Visitors and exhibitors will also benefit from the week-long Posidonia sports festival which this year will see the 5th anniversary edition of the Lloyds Register-sponsored Posidonia Sailing Cup, the 2nd Posidonia Shipsoccer Tournament sponsored by Castrol Marine and the eagerly awaited inaugural Golfplay Tournament. The Golf Tournament, to take place at the Glyfada Golf Course, is a new event in the Posidonia programme, as it has been a long-standing request of both exhibitors and visitors of the exhibition. Posidonia 2010 is sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping, the Municipality of Piraeus, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Union of Greek Shipowners, the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee, the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association, the Association of Greek Passenger Shipping Companies and the Union of Marine Enterprises. ##U.S. Commercial Service to Support U.S. Companies at Posidonia## Last month, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service announced it had granted Trade Fair Certification status to the 22nd biennial Posidonia 2010 International Shipping Exhibition. The U.S. Pavilion at Posidonia will help small and medium sized U.S. exporters access the international maritime market. Trade Fair Certification assures Posidonia 2010 of U.S. Commercial Service support, both in the United States and in Greece. Through certification, the U.S. Commercial Service recognizes the capability and exhibition experience of UBM International Media to organize a world class pavilion for U.S. exhibitors to showcase products and services for the shipping, maritime and port construction industries. The U.S. pavilion serves as an excellent venue for U.S. companies to establish and expand overseas distribution, generate sales leads, evaluate competitors, and to work with U.S. Commercial Service Trade Specialists to identify potential buyers and partners. The Trade Fair Certification Program is a cooperative arrangement between private sector trade show organizers and the U.S. Government. The program seeks to broaden the base of U.S. exporters by introducing them to key trade fairs where they can meet their export objectives.

***Exciting and Challenging Opportunities for Young Bahamians…*** The Bahamas Maritime Authority is once again offering attractive scholarships to young academically sound Bahamians who are keen to train for an exciting and challenging career in the Maritime Industry – which is gaining increasing national importance. These generous scholarships are inclusive of tuition, fees, course material, accommodations and transportation costs. Commencing in September 2009 successful candidates will follow a 4 year degree programme at the California Maritime Academy, a unique campus of the California State University. Upon completion of the degree, the qualified officers will be expected to serve on board a Bahamian flagged vessel for at least 2 years, providing the solid foundation on which to build their Maritime careers. Complete applications can be submitted in person or by post – with copies of academic certificates/transcripts and proof of Bahamian citizenship – no later than March 31. Interviews will take place in Nassau during the last week in April. BMA Chairman Ian Fair spoke to the business development opportunities within the maritime sector at the 2009 Bahamas Financial Services Retreat. The Bahamas Ship Registry is the third largest registry in the world with more than 1700 vessels and in excess of 52 million gross tons. Currently the Registry has offices/representation in Nassau, New York, London, Greece, Japan and Germany, with plans to open other offices in Europe and in Asia. The Bahamas Government and BMA believe that the maritime industry continues to present great potential for development locally and internationally. This it says, will be assured by being prepared with the appropriate legislative and administrative framework necessary to properly and adequately monitor and regulate the sector, and by providing state-of-the-art port and maritime support facilities. And, of course, providing the necessary training to build capacity. The Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corps (BMCC) is a programme of the Bahamas Maritime Authority that seeks to prepare high school students of grades 10 through 12 for employment in the maritime industry. This programme sensitizes students to this vast potential job market and is the initial step in qualifying them for future employment on ocean-going vessels. To date over 244 students have graduated from the BMCC programme, with some 210 of them having attained their Standards of Training and Watchkeeping Certification (STCW), the minimum requirement of the IMO for a career at sea. Cadets generally pursue further technical marine educational opportunities at the Holland Maritime College, Canada. Others within the industry have pursued university level maritime training at the California Maritime Academy, at the Marine Maritime Academy and at the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College in the United States. The Bahamas Ship Owners Association has been a valued partner in the training exercise for Bahamians in the maritime sector.

**The Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham, M.P. Prime Minister Commonwealth of The Bahamas** Providing remarks during the Opening Ceremony for the **Bahamas International Maritime Conference and Trade Show (BIMCATS)** today, Prime Minister Ingraham described host city Freeport not only as the nation’s second city, but its industrial centre and maritime humb. Speaking to The Bahamas as an archipelagic nation with a strong maritime tradition, he noted that its people traditionally turn to the sea not only for sustenance and economic livelihood but also for leisure-time enjoyment and sports. *”It is not surprising then, that soon after attaining nationhood in 1973 we moved to develop a maritime industry in our country opening new economic and employment opportunities for Bahamians and Bahamian-based businesses.”* he said. The Prime Minister pointed out that the sea has been the primary means of transportation for both passengers and cargo between the islands of The Bahamas, and even in the era of air travel this is still very much the case, certainly for cargo. He noted that with tourism, the principal engine of the economy, the sea always has been an integral part of that sector – not only the irresistible attraction of crystal clear waters and sandy beaches of pink and gold, but the arrival of several million visitors to the islands via ocean-going luxury cruise liners. This development began in the last century, and the cruise sector of the tourism industry has expanded now to rival and surpass hotel-based tourism. Conference delegates were told of plans for a major enlargement of harbour facilities in the capital city of Nassau so that the port will be able to accommodate the largest cruise vessels now under construction. A related project will relocate commercial shipping outside the downtown city centre. Additionally, there are plans for the enhancement of land side cruise ship port facilities in Grand Bahama. Dating back to modest beginnings in 1977, the development of the Bahamas Ship Registry has seen considerable growth, to become the third largest in the world. The Prime Minister said, however, that the objective never has been to become the largest ship registry. *”Instead, we have concentrated and focussed our efforts on becoming a well regulated and properly supervised registry capable of delivering quality service.”* The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) administers the Ship Register. **Bahamas Maritime Authority** The BMA was established in 1995, and had among its goals and objectives: • To promote, facilitate and encourage the development of ship registration and maritime administration; • To regulate and control all matters related to merchant shipping; • To participate in international organizations dealing with maritime-related matters; • To advise the Government on any matter relating to merchant shipping, marine pollution prevention and control; and • To expand and create maritime employment opportunities for Bahamians. **International Maritime Organisation/Conventions** As a responsible member of the international maritime community, The Bahamas has been a member and active participant in the activities of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) since 1976. This nation has served as a member of the IMO Council between 1991 and 1995 and again from 1999 to 2007. At the end of 2007, it was re-election to that body yet again. Prime Minister Ingraham pointed out that membership on the IMO Council has afforded The Bahamas the opportunity to participate in discussions leading to the development of new international maritime laws and regulations, including discussion of threats to the industry. The Bahamas is party to the most important of the international conventions and agreements which regulate maritime affairs and which seek to guard against the damage to the world’s oceans which might result from reckless actions and or environmentally unsustainable practices. Among the major maritime conventions to which The Bahamas is party are: the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), Marine Pollution (MARPOL), Standards of Training and Certification of Seafarers (STCW), and the Maritime Labour Convention of 2006. Together these four international conventions form the pillars of international maritime regulatory regime for quality shipping. Further, The Bahamas is one of only three countries to have ratified the Maritime Labour Convention of 2006, sometimes referred to as the Seafarer’s Bill of Rights. **Freeport** Although the founder of the city had remarkable foresight some half a century ago to create Freeport’s deep harbour and further sought to develop a major container transshipment port as the principal business of this city, the Prime Minister said the dream of the transshipment port was not fully realized until the arrival in Grand Bahama of the Hutchison Whampoa investor group back in 1995. Today, the Freeport Container Port, operated by Hutchinson Port Holding in conjunction with its industry partner, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), sits on the deepest port in the region, and reportedly is the 72nd busiest container terminal in the world and the 4th busiest hub for MSC. The Phase V expansion of the Port presently is underway, and will result in the facility’s expansion to include 16 quay cranes, 2 mobile harbour cranes, 94 straddle carriers and more than 1 mile of wharf which represents a 50% increase in capacity at the port. The Grand Bahama Shipyard – whose development began in 1999 – was described as a state-of-the-art facility operating two floating dry docks and two wet berths capable of repairing some of the largest and most advanced vessels in the world. *”The location of these two important maritime-based enterprises in Grand Bahama has proven beneficial to both the investors and to our country,”* the Prime Minister said. *”Indeed, the rapid expansion of operations at the Container Port and at the Shipyard is indicative, I believe, of the economic success of their undertakings.* **Business Development** In conclusion, the Prime Minister affirmed that importance of maritime affairs noting estimates that close to 90% of all goods consumed around the globe, at some stage or other, is transported by sea. In that sense, he said, one might argue that the shipping industry was the world’s first truly globalized business. The Bahamas believes that the maritime industry continues