Jamaica welcomes maritime delegation from Belize

Jamaica’s maritime community welcomed a delegation from Belize to share information and best practices in relation to shipping operations, environmental compliance and the blue economy last week.

Led by Belize’s Minister of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics and E-Governance Michel Chebat, the seven-strong delegation spent the week visiting key areas of Jamaica’s maritime infrastructure to see its operations first-hand.

The Belize team visited the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), which is responsible for the administration and enforcement of Jamaica’s shipping policy. They were briefed on the roles and responsibilities of the MAJ, which include the registration of ships and mega yachts, investigation of casualties, ship safety and security inspection, marine pollution prevention, regulation of bunkering and ancillary services to ships, training oversight and certification of Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) graduates and seafarers. They also visited Port Bustamante to observe Port State Control in operations. Port State Control is the inspection of foreign ships in Jamaica, conducted by MAJ officers, to verify that the condition of the ship and its seafarers comply with the requirements of international regulations, and that the ship is manned and operated in compliance with these rules.

MAJ marine surveyor Kenre Valentine, acting as the visit’s liaison officer, said, “We are delighted to welcome Belize to our shores, and privileged to be able to share with them our knowledge and expertise in maritime administration.”

The Belize delegation also called on Minister of Transport and Mining Audley Shaw, followed by a trip to the CMU where they met its president, Professor Evan Duggan, faculty and staff, toured the facilities, and learned how Jamaica trains its maritime cadets to prepare them for a range of careers, including merchant shipping and cruise-sector hospitality roles. They also viewed a small vessel inspection conducted by the MAJ.

The delegation was also hosted by the Port Authority of Jamaica and visited cruise ports in Port Royal, Montego Bay, Falmouth and Ocho Rios.

Ports Commissioner at Belize Port Authority, Major (retd) Herman Gilbert Swaso, said “We are very grateful to the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, who coordinated our visit to Jamaica. This visit will aid in cementing relationships and future partnerships with international maritime authorities, and to give us an opportunity to grasp more concepts to better equip Belize Port Authority with more knowledge, to ensure better compliance with maritime laws and international maritime convention obligations.”

MAJ Director General Rear Admiral (retd) Peter Brady said, “As a long-standing member of the Council of the International Maritime Organization, Jamaica has a responsibility to share its experience with the wider Caribbean region, to enable our whole maritime community to benefit from Jamaica’s international perspective.

“As an island state, Jamaica considers itself as a responsible maritime state which believes in the spirit of technical cooperation and the sharing of its expertise with regional states, of which Belize is one, and also a partner country.”