Training and development will be among the major focuses of the regional port state control committee, during Guyana's chairmanship of the 21-member body over the next three years.
Guyana will also work in collaboration with its regional partners to develop a strategy to guide its tenure at the helm of the group, as efforts are made to ensure greater compliance with the required safety standards.
The group was formed in February 1997 to ensure a joint approach to the enforcement of International Maritime Authority regulations, with respect to the inspection of vessels flying under foreign flags. Barbados has been the chair over the last three years.
Announcing Guyana's new role at a press briefing last week, Director of Maritime Administration (MARAD), Ivor English, said that taking over the leadership of the group allowed the opportunity for much more influence on securing enforcement of the necessary regulations. Guyana would now be more involved in facilitating compliance with maritime standards.
Key conventions have been ratified, especially those related to safety and those which gave effect to the recently enacted shipping act, he said. One of the major achievements of the new maritime administration, he said, was enhanced training, especially for those responsible for inspecting ships. English hopes that as chair of the regional group, Guyana can advance efforts for more training and alliances with shipping associations from other hemispheric regions to ensure that the region keeps pace with new maritime strategies.
Meanwhile, Guyana will soon begin making arrangements to facilitate its compliance with ISPS codes if the country hopes to continue shipping to the United States (US) after July 1, 2004. The US implemented strict security measures for maritime vessels following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
English said Guyana was currently reviewing a model draft of regulations supplied by the International Maritime Administration, which it hopes will be incorporated into local legislation. According to English, the country has to ensure compliance; anything short of that would result in vessels originating in port Georgetown not been permitted to dock in the US. Compliance with the stringent US safety standards entails strengthening security, primarily aboard vessels and around wharfs and ship ports.
Questioned about the possible cost of achieving this, English said it would depend on the level of the surveillance applied as some could be extremely costly. The MARAD director expressed optimism that the local port operators could work towards ensuring the required mechanisms are put in place to ensure that vessels are not barred from entry to US ports.