Bahamas Maritime Authority envisions a positive future for the shipping industry as it moves away from the pandemic, and sets its goals for the following year, focusing on keeping the authority’s quality.
Accordingly, Captain Dwain Hutchinson, Managing Director and CEO of The BMA, stressed that no-one should underestimate the impacts of the pandemic on all business, some aspects being catastrophic, but some have proved beneficial.
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He explained that health and safety remained a top priority for the Authority as they had to deal with the physical and mental challenges of the pandemic and its affects on their staff and customers alike.
Captain Dwain Hutchinson highlighted that
The importance and the resilience of shipping has been showcased to the world as we contributed to the global response to the pandemic. I have been encouraged by how well the industry, including the BMA team, have adapted their processes and we at The BMA are looking forward to taking the newly acquired skills and revised processes to continue providing the highest possible levels of service.
Concerning 2021, Captain Hutchinson forecasts that sustainability will be a top priority for the industry and believes that the pandemic has accelerated the global adoption of technology which will be fundamental to the reduction of the environmental footprint of the industry.
Captain Hutchinson added that BMA will continue having a major role on the international stage as a leader with proactive engagement in the global recovery efforts, particularly through our membership of the International Maritime Organisation and International Labour Organisation, as “every decision that we take is aligned to one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Whether relating to climate action, gender equality, responsible consumption, life below water or good health and well-being, all form a vital part in our regulatory mantra as a committed and responsible flag state.”
Moreover, he expressed BMA’s commitment to seafarers, noting that the Authority offered shelter in Bahamian territorial waters to some 70 Bahamas registered and non-registered ships when the pandemic first took hold and then subsequently facilitating the repatriation of crews. About 50,000 crew, from these ships were assisted in the efforts to return home. This, combined with the efforts taken with other governmental and intergovernmental bodies, enabled the crew from Bahamas flagged ships to be reunited with their loved ones at such an uncertain time. The human element of seafaring and the well-being of crew have always been fundamental to The Bahamas and this is demonstrated through our recognition of seafarers as key workers and our ongoing support of shipowners in facilitating crew repatriation, with the assistance of the IMO Seafarer Crisis Action Team when needed.”
