CSA develops Regional Integrated Maritime Strategy deliverables

Members of the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA) have developed a 10-point deliverables plan to guide the progress of the Regional Integrated Maritime Strategy (RIMS).

RIMS is the long-term synergistic plan of action for the maritime sector (cargo, cruise and luxury yacht) in the Caribbean and Latin American region, aimed at ensuring sustainability across all facets of the industry. It provides a framework for closer relationships within the maritime sector with a view to developing regional maritime interests.

The 10-point plan was among the deliverables from the recently held Shipping Executives Conference, held in Curaçao.

RIMS' 10 deliverables are:

1. Deployment of an integrated regional maritime information technology platform that captures and disseminates timely, accurate and critical cargo, cruise and luxury yacht information for stakeholders.

2. Roll out of an integrated regional customs platform that will facilitate trade and enhance border control.

3. Implementation of national trade community systems.

4. Harmonisation of customs and maritime security legislations.

5. Establishment of a formal mechanism for maritime security information sharing - reactivate and/or leverage lessons learned from the successful staging of Cricket World Cup 2007.

6. Creation of a regional cruise organisation that will seek to:

a. Unify/harmonise cruising rules and regulations for the region.

b. Promote the region as a whole with its unique characteristics and different sub-groupings, due to itinerary planning through cooperative marketing arrangements.

c. Develop and promote a year-round regional (Caribbean) cruise itinerary.

d. Create competitive cooperation among cruise destinations

e. Develop regional standards for marine infrastructure, attractions and national parks.

f. Develop cooperative training standards.

g. Promote a unified refit development programme.

7. Identify and promote regional policy issues through regional/hemispheric institutions (CARICOM, OAS - CIP, ACS) that must be addressed for a successful RIMS model.

8. Continuous capacity building, in terms of training and development of the regional human capital and ports infrastructure development to meet new and diverse demands.

9. Develop a regional cruising permit programme.

10. Identify source of funding for RIMS-specific projects, preferably through public-private partnerships.

General manager for the CSA, Clive Forbes said the 10-point plan will be an ongoing programme.

"We have begun work on some of the items and we will provide an update at the annual general meeting of the CSA in Jamaica in October," Forbes said.

He noted that some items on the agenda will need active participation of the region's political directorate and every effort is being made to achieve same.