A signing ceremony was held at IDB House for launch of the Caribbean's first Marine Waste Reception and Processing Facility, October 22, 2019.

Earlier this year, the IDB Lab launched a Blue Tech Challenge for entities across the Caribbean that are applying new technologies or solutions to foster long-term sustainability of the ocean economy. In March 2019, the competition came to an end and The Clean Marine Group Limited, a private early stage firm in Grand Bahama was selected as a winner in The Bahamas. The company uses a patented cavitation technology to process liquid wastes from marine vessels so that these vessels can comply with MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) and thus reduce marine pollution in the Bahamas.

The IDB Lab announced the approval from its Donor’s Committee for the co-financing of $1,500,000 senior loan for the expansion of the port reception and processing facility, along with $276,000 to promote the creation of public goods that benefit the population and governing bodies of The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean through activities that help to improve the regulatory framework for MARPOL in the region, increase: the number of Caribbean countries that develop an interest in and the capacity to follow MARPOL regulations, the applicability of the cavitation technology to land-based environmental or water-quality issues in the Bahamas, and the capture, synthesis and dissemination of the knowledge generated from this project, including lessons learned, best practices, and key factors of success.

 

Pictured from left: G. Marko Chea, President GMC Consultant Ltd.; Michael Fitton CEO, Clean Marine Group (CMG); Niels G. Jensen, Director Marine Operation (CMG); Makia Carter, Private Sector Consultant IDB; Daniela Carrera-Marquis, Country Representative IDB; Senator the Hon. Kwasi Thompson, Minister of State for Grand Bahama; and Robert Speller, Managing Director (CMG).

(BIS Photos/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)