The Bahamas has launched its bid for re-election to the board of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and just recently opened an office in Piraeus, Greece. These developments are proof of the vitality of the Bahamian ship registry, according to Minister of Transport Glenys Hanna-Martin.
Hanna-Martin spoke at the 2014 annual general meeting (AGM) of the Bahamas Shipowners Association (BSA), held yesterday in Downtown Nassau. The minister stressed the government's desire to see a broadening and deepening of ties between the BSA and the Bahamas Maritime Authority, the government's industry-liaison agency.
"We are very happy that you have seen us as more than just an offshore register," Hanna-Martin said.
She spoke of the BSA-BMA relationship as "symbiotic", noting that the BSA has injected resources and shared its knowledge base in the jurisdiction, working on youth development and maritime training.
"You have sought to incorporate into your collective portfolio the interests of the Bahamian people in the maritime sector of The Bahamas," the minister told the AGM. "This is a win-win scenario."
With regard to the IMO candidacy, Hanna-Martin said: "We intend to continue to pursue the proper positioning of our country as an important and influential member on the council, because we wish to contribute qualitatively [to the maritime industry]."
BSA Chairman George Pateras touted the work of the BSA in representing the Bahamian flag this year. He said the BSA had met with the European Maritime Safety Agency and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, both for the first time this year.
"Unlike other flags, very few of our owners are actually located in The Bahamas, so the close cooperation of the BMA and the BSA is of paramount importance so that we can keep each other in touch with developments and problems that may develop around the world," Pateras said.
"The BSA is a strong believer in the importance of properly trained crew, and for several years assisted in the funding of the Bahamas Cadet Corp program. We can proudly say that every year new Bahamian men and women graduate the cadet program and join Bahamas flag ships as well-trained officers," Pateras said.
He invited the BSA to join and support the cadet program by providing berths for the cadets.

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