NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Parliament yesterday passed the Merchant Bill, 2021, as the government moves to modernize and improve the maritime sector.
The bill will now move to the Senate for debate.
Minister of Transport and Housing JoBeth Coleby-Davis, while contributing to debate on the bill in Parliament, said: “This is indeed an opportune time to bring this legislation to the House, as I am indeed privileged and honored to advise of The Bahamas’ candidature for International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council membership in Category C, with the IMO Council being the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the IMO Assembly, for supervising the work of the IMO.
“In that regard, The Bahamas is seeking to be elected for one the 40 seats on IMO Council for the 2022/2023 biennium, which will be facilitated by inter-agency cooperation for engagement with all IMO member states.”
She added: “It is noteworthy that The Bahamas has served on the IMO Council continuously from 1999 to date, playing a leading role at all levels in promoting change within shipping.
“We have long been advocates of a goal-based approach to regulatory reform.”
Coleby-Davis further noted that The Bahamas has endorsed the decision of the IMO Council to recognize and advance gender equality through the adoption of International Day for Women in Maritime to be observed on May 18 annually.
The Merchant Bill, 2021, sets out a new framework for the industry and repeals the Merchant Shipping Act, 1976, and Merchant Shipping (Maritime Claims Limitation of Liability) Act, 1989.
The legislation seeks to provide for the registration of Bahamian ships, the proprietary interests in ships, the training certification and watchkeeping relating to seafarers, the conditions of employment of seafarers and the health and well-being of masters and seafarers onboard a ship.
This attribute of quality enables The Bahamas to attract tonnage to the ship registry, with the revenue from this operation being applied to The Bahamas’ consolidated funds, to which over $100 million has been contributed by the ship registry.
– Minister of Transport and Housing JoBeth Coleby-Davis
It also provides for the prevention of collisions, the safety of navigation, the prevention of pollution, maritime safety and security, the liability of owners of ships and investigations into marine casualties.
Coleby-Davis noted that The Bahamas is also one of the world’s largest ship registries, with its ships and the seafarers on board trading globally with a recognized reputation of quality standards through the ratification, adoption and application of IMO and ILO internationally-binding conventions and codes.
“This attribute of quality enables The Bahamas to attract tonnage to the ship registry, with the revenue from this operation being applied to The Bahamas’ consolidated funds, to which over $100 million has been contributed by the ship registry,” said Coleby-Davis.
“The ship’s registry is managed by the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA), which also has the responsibility for representing The Bahamas at the IMO and ILO meetings.”
She noted that the BMA, with the assistance of the Office of the Attorney General, undertook a comprehensive review of the Merchant Shipping Act and Regulations to update and address any gaps in the legislation.
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