Govt ‘charting course’ for shipping boost

The government has intensified its focus on the maritime industry, passing eight new shipping-related acts in 2024 as part of a comprehensive strategy to boost economic growth, International Transport Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill has told top marine students, highlighting the vital role of shipping in global trade and the national economy.

 

Gooding-Edghill presented two Minister’s Awards for Excellence to the top Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology students in the Marine Diesel Engineering and Marine Operations Certificate programmes.

 

In brief remarks, he said that given the shipping industry’s critical role in global trade and its significant economic contributions, it is essential for the government to remain dedicated to supporting the domestic industry and its current and future workforce.

 

The minister said: “The Secretary-General [of the International Maritime Organisation], Arsenio Dominguez, in recognising World Maritime Day in 2024, stated that: ‘Shipping is vital to keep our economies and societies afloat. It is the lifeblood of global supply chains, stretching across oceans, connecting goods and communities.’ I too am in agreement with this statement as we live in a society which simply could not function if it were not for shipping.”

 

Given shipping’s main influence as an economic driver, he said his team has been diligently working on developing the necessary policies.

 

“My team here at the ministry has been working assiduously to develop the policies and legislative framework necessary for the enhancement of the maritime environment as part of the national strategy for ensuring safe shipping for Barbadian registered vessels operating on both domestic and international voyages; and for ensuring matters concerning decent shipboard living and working conditions for the seafarers working onboard or onshore are prioritised,” he said.

 

The minister touted the sending of nine bills on shipping to Parliament last year, with all but one passing into law.

 

These include the Merchant Shipping Act, Marine Transport (Emissions Control) and Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic Act.

 

Ian Drakes, principal of SJPIT, commended students Shawn Seales and James O’Neale for their achievements in earning the Marine Diesel Engineering Diploma and the Maritime Operations Certificate, respectively. He stressed the institute’s commitment to addressing the ageing workforce in the maritime industry while equipping young people with the skills needed to advance.

 

Drakes said: “I see us fitting in from the deckhands right up to the harbourmasters. We are looking at different types of partnerships, not only with the Bridgetown Port but also with fisheries as it relates to training persons to go out to sea. Because of having an ageing population in all of the relative disciplines, we need young persons now trained, because we have persons who are retired or retiring.”

 

Expressed his gratitude for the recognition, O’Neale said it felt especially rewarding given the uncertainty he faced about his career path after leaving secondary school.

 

He said: “It feels great to win the award seeing as when I left secondary school I was not sure what I wanted to do, but coming to the SJPI and doing the best of my ability and knowing I came top in my class feels great.”

As part of the award, O’Neale has received a six-month internship at the port, while Seales will continue to work there.