Govt ratifies 11 int’l treaties to bolster maritime sector
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, March 16, 2019
“As part of our commitment, I would like to highlight that, in November 2018, Guyana ratified 12 treaties regarding the development of the maritime sector and the oil and gas industry […] In February 2019, 11 of these instruments were deposited at the IMO [International Maritime Organisation],” said Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson as the Coalition Government continues to strengthen the legislative framework of the maritime sector.
This was announced at the inaugural Guyana Maritime Conference held at the Marriott Hotel. The forum hosted by Hughes Fields and Stoby in collaboration with the Ministry of the Public Infrastructure’s Maritime Administration Department, under the theme: Guyana New Maritime Landscape, Preparing for the Future.
Minister Patterson also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing the maritime sector. “We must be prepared through the implementation of supporting infrastructure, legislative mechanisms with an ingrained safety culture, all of which we as a government remain firmly committed to advancing beyond our present status.”
The conference occurs as Guyana prepares to become an oil producing nation. Director General of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), Claudette Rogers, reflected on the necessity for a conference of this nature. “For us to have modern regulations we recognise the need for this interaction, that we will have from stakeholders, and this in itself will help us in the preparation of new regulations going forward.”
With respect to updating existing regulations, Director Rogers stressed, “it is of critical importance that we have new regulations in place” as she made reference to the maritime laws of 1999 that are in need of being more comprehensive to include aspects of the emerging oil and gas sector.
On the other hand, Director Rogers praised the efforts made by MARAD in preparation for the oil and gas sector. This includes the hiring of a consultant to update Guyana’s Maritime Legislation. The recommendations from the consultant would “pave the way for the realisation of a more robust system of Maritime Administration in Guyana and the consequential reduction in the elimination of potential conflicts among agencies with respect to where the responsibilities reside relative to the administration of certain key Maritime functions,” Rogers explained.
Additionally, the Caribbean Regional advisor to the IMO, Colin Young, in his keynote address lauded the Coalition Government’s efforts in signing onto IMO treaties, while emphasising the need for enforcement of these very treaties not only in Guyana but the wider region.
The hosting of the Maritime Conference 2019 falls in line with the government’s commitment to the fulfilment of the United Nations Sustainable Deployment Goal 14 that seeks to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Shaquille Bourne.
Images: Marceano Narine.