Senate passes port law in bid to meet international  standards

The Senate has approved a law to tighten the Bridgetown Port’s compliance with several outstanding international port regulations.

As she introduced the Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic Bill, 2024 on Wednesday, Leader of Government Business Senator Lisa Cummins said the “considerable piece of legislation” enables Barbados to keep up with a range of requirements under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

She stressed that Barbados had “comprehensively failed” an audit of compliance with the standards set by the United Nations agency that regulates shipping and prevents marine and atmospheric pollution from ships.

“Barbados had not met most of the requirements pre-2018 and one of the first responsibilities was to address issue by issue to ensure Barbados was prepared for a repeat of the audit and that when that took place Barbados was in full compliance,” she explained to the Senate.

Senator Cummins, Minister of Energy and Business Development and a former chairman of the Barbados Port Inc., noted that 90 per cent of all goods in this country come through the port.

With the new law comes the introduction of a single window facility, a platform that merges all the windows through which the government deals with the trading and maritime community.

She touted the legislation as a contributor to the port’s modernisation and efficiency efforts, adding that port efficiency is critical to the maritime operators who face substantial charges when the vessels are delayed.

The passage of the act paves the way to faster turnaround of cargo and other vessels, and lower demurrage charges – the penalty set by the owner of a ship for exceeding the agreed-upon time for loading or unloading cargo –, according to the minister. These charges ultimately affect the prices to importers and to consumers, she noted.

One of the country’s newest senators made his maiden speech to the Upper Chamber, calling on the port to pursue greater efficiency to help maintain brand Barbados.

“Efficiency is the order for Barbados,” said Senator Reverend Charles Morris. “If we are to be successful, if we are to gain maximum economic benefit, then efficiency must be our hallmark, especially at our port of entry.”

Senator Morris, the former Deputy High Commissioner to London, declared his awareness of the importance of compliance as he recalled attending meetings with the London-based IMO.

The Anglican cleric said Barbados must not be left behind as the world moves on.

“We must keep up with it,” he told fellow lawmakers. “We now have a reputation as a leader in this world.”

However, Senator Morris cautioned that Barbadians must display the work ethic to go along with the required changes to achieve the “maximum benefits”. Every economic sector, he noted, depends on the port’s operations.

Senator Morris suggested that with the growing cruise industry, it was time for Barbados to establish cambios to facilitate currency exchange for visitors entering and leaving the country.

A few minutes earlier, the senators had welcomed the new member who was allowed to take his seat by Senate President Reginald Farley who briefly noted Morris’ contribution as a teacher, a priest and a diplomat.

Senator Morris expressed his thanks for the welcome and said he was humbled by the experience. He expressed special thanks to the village that raised him – Black Bess, St Peter – and those who had a hand in his development including his wife, his sister in Canada, fellow priests and diplomats.

As he wrapped up his first contribution to the debate, Senator Morris acknowledged the substantial task before the legislators to save the lives of Barbadians and to see that all of them live freely and happily and feel protected.

“We can do it one day at a time, one person at a time and one action at a time,” he said.
(SP)