Maritime

The eyes of the international maritime community will be focused on Freeport, Grand Bahama when it hosts the three-day **Bahamas International Maritime Conference** and Trade Show beginning November 19. The event is slated for the Westin at Our Lucaya Resort, and the theme is ‘Opportunities in Trade and Maritime Services’. *“It is intended to serve as a platform for showcasing the multiple facets of The Bahamas’ maritime industry, particularly as it relates to transshipment, trade, ship ownership, registry services, ship repair and other things,”* states the Ministry of the Environment. The conference will be opened by Prime Minister Hubert A Ingraham and International Maritime Organisation Secretary General Efthimios E Mitropoulos will deliver the keynote address. *“The Bahamas is highly respected in the international maritime community for having attained and maintained the world’s third largest ship registry,”* states the Ministry of the Environment. *“However, in order for The Bahamas to maintain its position of prominence in the region and in the world, policy makers and program planners must stay abreast of the ever-changing demands and developments in the international maritime industry.”* The conference and trade show aims to promote the Bahamas as a hub of international trade; highlight the benefits and advantages of The Bahamas International Ship Registry; draw attention to the latest developments and opportunities in the maritime industry in The Bahamas; and, explore issues related to local and international investment trends and opportunities for the maritime industry. Freeport, a free trade zone, is home to the Freeport Container Port, Grand Bahama Shipyard, Freeport Harbour, Bahamas Oil Refining Company, and South Riding Point Holdings. Among other presenters, Barry Malcolm, Managing Director, Scotia Bank, will speak on ‘Entrepreneurial and expansion opportunities within the maritime industry of the Bahamas’; Robert Somerville, Chairman and CEO, American Bureau of Standards, will speak on ‘Clean air, cleaner oceans, cleaner beaches – What the shipping industry is doing to reduce its footprint’; and Anthony Price, president, Algoship Designers Limited, will speak on ‘Opportunities for training within the Bahamas maritime sector’. *“We want to stimulate interest in the many world class maritime services offered by The Bahamas,”* states the Ministry of the Environment.

**Sen. the Hon. Dion Foulkes Minister of Maritime Affairs & Labour** Minister Foulkes says the Ministry of Maritime Affairs is committed to the continued growth and development of the Port of Nassau, *“an invaluable part of the socio-economic development of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”* Representatives from the Ministry met recently with a visiting team from the Port of Palm Beach, with which the Port of Nassau shares many similarities according to the Minister. *”The similarities shared between the two Ports provide us both with, I believe, a great opportunity to share expertise in a number of areas including cruise shipping, port security and containerized shipping, that will ensure the future growth and development of both Ports.”* Minister Foulkes pointed out that establishment of linkages in economic sectors is one of the new Government’s objectives, as outlined in Manifesto ’07, and that the relationship between the Port of Palm Beach and the Port of Nassau could play a key role in expanding economic linkages. Closer ties with the Port of Palm Beach could also assist The Bahamas in its ongoing efforts to expand its ship registry. The Bahamas Ship Registry is one of the world’s most prestigious and currently is globally ranked as the 3rd largest, with merchant ships representing some 35 million gross tons. Mr. Wayne Richards, Chairman of the Board of the Port of Palm Beach confirmed that discussions with local officials included the boosting of the Bahamian flag registry at the Port. Other items of common interest discussed were hurricane preparedness, security and the sharing of technology. Minister Foulkes envisages talks with other port officials, including those throughout the Caribbean, as part of his Ministry’s plans going forward.

The Bahamas Shipowners Association (BSA) held its annual meeting in The Bahamas earlier this month. Addressing delegates, the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Transport & Aviation, pledged the Bahamas Government’s continued commitment to working with industry stakeholders to promote the maritime industry and growth of the ship registry. She also noted the commitment to maintaining the highest standards in the industry, saying that The Bahamas would continue to sign on to international conventions that would help improve such standards. *“The commitment of our registry in this regard is reflected in the standard of ownership of vessels registered under The Bahamas flag. It is this commitment that has enabled The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) to achieve international respect and to be held in high repute both commercially and at the regulatory level at the ILO.*” **International Conventions** The Minister reported that The Bahamas has deemed it appropriate and desirable to become signatories to the relevant international conventions and protocols which would assist in achieving high standards. In this connection, The Bahamas was reported to be in the process of acceding to the 1958 Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (the New York Convention) as well as the ILO Seafarer’s Convention. The New York Convention was adopted by diplomatic conference on June 10, 1958, and its promotion is an integral part of the UN Commission on International Trade Law. It is widely recognized as a foundation instrument of international arbitration, applying to the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards made in the territory of a State other than the State where the recognition and enforcement of such awards are sought, and arising out of differences between persons, whether physical or legal. It also applies to arbitral awards not considered as domestic awards in the State where their recognition and enforcement are sought. **BSA Activities** Discussions at the annual meeting focused in large part on the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, dubbed the Super Convention due to its scope and impact on the industry. Ms. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, Director of the International Labour Standards and Maritime Activities at International Labour Organisation, was the keynote speaker, and illuminated the finer points of the Convention. The Maritime Labour Convention was adopted by the 94th International Labour Conference at a maritime session in Geneva in February 2006, and covers, inter alia, conditions of employment, hours of work and rest, accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering, health protection, medical care, welfare and social security protection for seafarers, as well as the regulation of recruitment and placement services and flag State inspection systems. Reports were presented on various activities of the BSA during the year, including the March visit by BSA and BMA with Mr. Jacques de Dieu, Deputy Head of the EC Maritime Transport Policy and Maritime Safety Unit, and Ib Matthiesen, Head of Safety, Assessments and Inspections at the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). Also discussed was the upcoming meeting in Washington with Admiral Craig E. Bone, Assistant Commandant for Prevention, and other US Coast Guard representatives. These meetings have become annual events and were described as fruitful encounters which provide an important forum for dialogue on crucial issues like the Large Passenger Ship Safety initiative and the criminalisation of seafarers. The BSA and BMA are currently sponsoring seven Bahamian cadets enrolled on a four-year undergraduate course in Maritime Studies at the California Maritime Academy. This course combines both academic and professional training which gives the cadets the opportunity to spend the summer training at sea on various types of vessels flagged with The Bahamas. These steadily increasing cadetships demonstrate the BSA and BMA’s commitment to ensuring that Bahamians figure prominently in the maritime future of their country. The Bahamas Shipowners Association was inaugurated in London on 11 July 1997. Its objectives are to promote the interests of owners of Bahamian registered vessels and to facilitate dialogue between the Bahamas Maritime Authority and ship owners. It is also geared to offer owners the chance to be proactive in discussing prospective international policy changes, especially with regard to IMO deliberations and to meet with international bodies such as the European Community and the US Coast Guard to lobby on behalf of the interests of Bahamas flagged vessels. The Hon. Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, addressing members of the Honorary Consular Corps at a luncheon meeting last week also paid tribute to the importance of the Bahamas Ship Registry. He said the accession to the New York Convention and the International Labour Organisation Seafarer’s Convention would enhance the competitiveness of the Bahamas as a ship registry. The Minister further pointed out that the work of his Ministry and that of the Ministry of Transport will be integrated on international maritime matters “as part of the mission to promote Bahamian trade abroad”. The Bahamas maintains the third largest flag registry in the world. *Editors Note: The Bahamas ratified the New York Convention on December 20, with effective date scheduled for 20 March 2007.*

Bernadette Christie, wife of the Prime Minister, last week named and launched the “Clipper Target”, the first of six bulk carriers being built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. (CSL) for the Bahamas-based Clipper Group. According to a release, all six vessels will be “registered in The Bahamas under the Bahamian flag”. The Bahamas maintains its status as the third leading ship registry behind Panama and Liberia, with about 1,500 vessels, and growing steadily. The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) maintains offices in London, New York and Nassau. Clipper Group is an international shipping consortium comprised of Ship Owning, Time Charter Operation, Commercial and Technical Ship Management, Trading, Agency, Stevedoring and Investment Companies. Of the almost 100 vessels it owns, 76 are registered under the Bahamian flag. In total, Clipper Group controls a fleet of over 250 vessels, including number of Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC), cruise vessels, roll-on/roll-off vessels and reefer vessels — carrying in excess of 50 million tonnes of cargo annually. Cochin Shipyard was incorporated in the year 1972 as a fully owned Government of India company. In the last three decades the company has emerged as a forerunner in the Indian shipbuilding & Ship repair industry.

The Bahamas Maritime Authority and the Bahamas Shipowners Association are 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 scholarships are inclusive of tuition, fees, course material, accommodation and transportation costs. Commencing in September 2006, 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. Further information may be obtained from: Mrs. Erma Rahming Mackey Assistant Director Bahamas Maritime Authority Gold Circle Complex, East Bay Street Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas Tel: (242) 394-3024 Fax: (242) 394-3014 The Maritime Authority is responsible for the Bahamas Shipping Registry, which continues to maintain its position as the world’s third largest international fleet, measured by gross tonnage. It also is the undisputed lead Flag for cruise ships. BMA has offices in Nassau, London and New York. The ongoing policy of the Authority in terms of sector development has been “growth with quality” — demonstrated by the number of high quality owners now using the Register. The success of the registry also is attributed to many of the factors that have positioned The Bahamas as a leading financial services centre: a progressive legislative and judicial system, political stability, neutral tax regime, and competitive fees.

The Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, M.P., Minister of Transport and Aviation, says the outlook for the continued growth of the Bahamas Ship Register is excellent. Noting that the shipping industry continues to expand at a rapid rate, the Minister also points out that *”The Bahamas has the ability to take on a leadership role in Maritime Affairs – which has tremendous career opportunities for Bahamians.”* Her remarks came during her contribution to the 2005-2006 National Budget Debate underway in Parliament. The Register has maintained its position as the world’s third largest international fleet, measured by gross tonnage. And, reportedly, there are some 154 ships on order already scheduled for the Register. The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) administers the Ship Register. Its operating costs have been well contained according to Minister Hanna-Martin, with some $28 million remitted to the Government of the Bahamas from 1995 (the year it was formed) to 2004. For the year ending June 2005, some $4 million will be remitted.

**Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, M.P., Minister of Transport and Aviation** Addressing the 29th Annual Interferry Conference, recently held in Grand Bahama, Minister Hanna-Martin pointed out that ferry transportation plays a fundamental role in marine transportation worldwide. Maritime transportation, in turn, is vitally important to the economic and social well-being of The Bahamas. In this connection, her presentation to the annual conference focussed on the necessity of maintaining the highest standards in terms of quality service, safety and security and took the opportunity to highlight some of the evidence pointing to how well the nation has met the challenges of all three. With the third largest ship registry in the world (over 35 million gross tons on record), The Bahamas continues to attract quality vessels, adhering to all relevant IMO conventions. The Bahamas recognises its responsibility for all ships flying its flag, and ensures that owners fulfil obligations with regard to safety of ship and crew, as well as the protection of the environment. *”The service provided to owners is both flexible and responsive, but at the same time rigorous in its maintenance of internationally established standards,”* says Minister Hanna-Martin. The Bahamas’ port state detention rates continue to be well below the world average – concrete evidence of effective performance when its ships are inspected by other port states. Now ranked as the third highest financial contributor to the International Maritime Organisation, The Bahamas continues to play an active role within this international body charged with promoting maritime safety. The Ship Registry is managed by the Bahamas Maritime Authority, which maintains offices in Nassau, London and New York. The policy for the BMA in terms of sector development continues to be “growth with quality”.