Despite the hot weather in Athens earlier this July, distinguished members of the Greek shipping community attended an interesting seminar for the new regulatory challenges in Shipping.
Mr. Dimitris Tsiftsis, Regional Director of The Bahamas Maritime Authority, welcomed the guests, Peter J. Goulandris, Deputy Chair of Bahamas Maritime Authority, the Bahamas Maritime Authority delegation, and the Greek team of the Piraeus office.
The agenda of the seminar included the regulatory developments and a Port State Control review.
Mr. John Goulandris in his speech pointed out that BMA continuously supports its Greek office in Piraeus to properly cater the needs of its customers.
BMA is an independent voice in IMO lobbying for the benefits of its members’' interests.
He also said, “we follow a reasonable policy to help our members to navigate the uncharted waters of shipping”.
BMA also assists its members in selecting the necessary technology and deal with energy transition in shipping.
BMA has also introduced a Merchant Shipping Act to adapt with the new regulations in IMO following a continuously changing strategy in this uncertain times.
Capt. Dwain Hutchinson, CEO & Managing Director of BMA, focused on the 50-year anniversary Bahamas independence and 25 years of operations in shipping delivering high quality services.
He said: “Bahamas is the 8th largest flag with more than 64 MGT. The fleet of BMA is comprised by 24% tankers, 19% bulkers, 11% passenger ships, 15% offshore units, etc”.
Capt. Hutchinson referred to the issue of industry collaboration and delivering cost efficient and environmental services to the operators of Bahamas flagged vessels.
A presentation of the BMA’s Greek office activities was delivered by the Regional Director Dimitri Tsiftsis. He pointed out that BMA’s mission is to administer the registration of ships adopting international standards and to be a leading maritime authority with vision and quality services ensuring compliance with BMA and IMO requirements.
BMA also maintains a network of inspectors, auditors, engineers, surveyors operating 24 hours a day 365 days a year. The biggest part of the customers are Greek, around 17% of the total ownership.
The benefits of BMA include: all registrars available around the clock, user-friendly registration process, bespoke service, built on long-term relationships, vessel and mortgage premium registration service, questions answered through a single telephone call, a reputation built on trust and wealth on legal knowledge.
BMA is also a trusted partner in the passenger shipping sector as well as bulk carriers and tanker/LNG carriers segments with extensive technical experience and a wide range high quality services.
BMA represents the interests of its customers to IMO supporting a collective voice and international solutions.
Regarding BMA Greek office maintains a great variety of services ranging from registration to technical advice, inspection and issuance of certificates.
Finally, Mr. Tsiftsis referred to the reasons for partnership with Bahamas flag such as long shipping tradition and the excellent image of the registry.
A presentation of IMO Regulatory Update was performed by the Deputy Director of Maritime Affairs Capt. Ghulam Hussain. He referred to the emissions scenarios for carbon intensity estimate using the available data from the IMO Database.
It must be noted that IMO has committed to reduce GHG emissions from shipping as soon as possible, promoting a just and equitable transition reducing CO2 by at least 40% by 2030 and reaching net zero GHG emissions by 2050.
In 2040 GHG emissions should be reduced at least by 70% compared with 2008.
Capt. Ghulam Hussain presented the short term GHG reduction measures such as the IMO DCS, EEXI, SEEMP and CII and other amendments.
Economic measures will be also discussed until 2025 such as IMO Maritime Sustainability fund and Reward by ICS.
Adoption of near zero technologies will be very important for achieving the goals towards 2030-2040-2050.
It was noted that the EU ETS scheme is a regional initiative, it does not cover the entire world therefore it cannot be adopted by IMO as a mid-term measure. That’s why ETS is not included in the IMO Basket measures.
BMA also promotes better coordination for practical measures, trying to help shipowners to achieve the best results in the management of their ships.
Finally, a General PSC Overview was presented by the Deputy Director of Inspection & Surveys Mr. Stephen Keenan.
According to 2022-23 statistics BMA policy and marine practices in 1277 flag inspections and 2300 PSC inspections of all types of ships got involved only 42 PSC detentions were carried out.
BMA has been recognized as one of the most quality flags in US, Tokyo and Paris MOU detentions BMA stands below 3-year average.
Image: Dimitris Tsiftsis, Regional Director of Bahamas Maritime Authority, Peter J. Goulandris, Deputy Chair of Bahamas Maritime Authority and Capt. Dwain Hutchinson, CEO & Managing Director of Bahamas Maritime Authority
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