Page 3 - BSA AGM and Conference 2019.pub

Chairman’s Message

In my Chairman’s Message last year, I claimed that 2018 had truly been a
momentous year, especially with the adoption of the IMO Strategy on
Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships. This year, has been just as
consequential for the shipping industry with the impact of what seems
to be a continuous tidal wave of new legislation, including preparations
for the implementation of the 2020 Sulphur Cap; the development of
the IMO Short and Long-Term Measures; and the ongoing development
of the GHG Strategy. I believe the reported potential devastating effects of changes to the
World’s climate have not escaped anyone’s attention. The importance of this work cannot be
overstated, and we need to get it right.

The Bahamas Flag ranks very highly (number two) on the Paris MoU Performance List, we
have retained USCG Qualship status, and about one third of all ships on the USCG e-Zero
programme fly the Bahamas ensign. This is truly testament to the hard work of our members,
their ships and crews, and our excellent cooperation with the Bahamas Maritime Authority. I
am very proud to represent the BSA as an association sailing to the absolute highest
standards, and our relationship with the BMA is key to our shared success.

Across the breadths of our industry, from sincere and heartfelt sympathies to the people of
legislators, national maritime authorities, and the Bahamas. I know several of our members,
maritime associations, and beyond the edges of including Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, Disney
the shipping industry to the NGOs interacting and Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise
monitoring our industry, and indeed public opinion Line Holdings, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line,
including topically young protestors – we hear a Campbell and Maritime Management LLC have all
growing chorus of opinion voicing concern about been working hard to actively support the relief
environmental issues – and the need for a clear and work, and on 10 September this year, our Manager
cohesive shipping industry response. We have even and I had the somewhat sombre task of delivering
heard reports of certain UN bodies criticising the a contribution from the BSA to Hurricane Dorian
IMO for setting goals in its GHG Strategy that were Relief Fund.
not assertive enough! It is evident that political During the past year the BSA, in our joint
pressure is mounting on the shipping industry. It is delegations with the BMA, have met with the Paris
therefore extremely relevant and germane to this MoU, USCG, EPA; Chamber of Shipping of America;
wider industry dialogue that we focus on these and CLIA. Holding topical discussions with
topical issues during this year’s AGM and regulators and other major industry bodies is part
Conference. The implementation of the Sulphur of our proactive work. These meetings provide a
Cap on 1 January 2020 is a prime example of where platform to represent our members at the highest
there has been a disconnect between political will levels of the industry, and provide insights on
and technical understanding.
future developments, and allow us to have a
From a shipowner’s perspective, the Bahamas constructive dialogue on all relevant issues and to
Shipowners Association is at the forefront of influence future changes.
discussions on the development of the IMO GHG I would like to thank the BSA Board of Directors for
Strategy. I have had the honour to serve as the trust and support they have given me during
Chairman of the ICS LTM Working Group together this past year and in particular I wish to
with BIMCO, INTERTANKO, INTERCARGO, CLIA, acknowledge Domenico Rognoni of Carnival as BSA
WSC, and ITPA. I also participated as part of the ICS Vice Chairman and Kenneth Engstrom of Cruise
delegation in discussions regarding the Management International as BSA Treasurer for
development of an industry-wide strategy for their active involvement in the BSA. I would also
achieving the goals set by the IMO.
like to express my sincere thanks to Anders Brodje
Little less than a month ago, Hurricane Dorian as BSA Manager and to our former secretary
devasted large parts of the Bahamas and many of Kendanique Ferguson, for their support.
our colleagues and friends on the islands of the John Adams
Bahamas were severely affected. On behalf of the Chairman
Board and the BSA, I would like to extend our