Maritime Sector to Gain from Close Association with Singapore

The gains made in the maritime sector are expected to be boosted by the country’s current close association with public and private sector interests in Singapore, a world leader in the industry.
Jamaica has been receiving various forms of technical and logistical assistance from that South-East Asian country, Transport and Works Minister, Hon. Michael Henry, pointed out, in his 2009/10 Sectoral presentation in the House of Representatives, on September 15.
For the 2008/09 year, the Maritime Authority of Jamaica’s revenue was up some 34 per cent above its target, while its registry of larger vessels grew by 33 per cent over the 2006/07 fiscal year, Mr. Henry informed.
He noted that local seafarers have been reaping successes in training and high end job placements worldwide, citing the major strategic maritime initiatives of the ministry last year, which saw the opening of the first full-service Jamaican ship registry office abroad, at Bremen, Germany.
“This has served to significantly broaden Jamaica’s maritime profile internationally, especially on the vibrant European scene. The Bremen office has been marketing Jamaica’s seafarers trained at the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI), resulting in the placement of all 76 cadets coming out of the CMI last year,” he pointed out.
Mr. Henry also highlighted the re-election of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica’s Director General, Rear Admiral Peter Brady, to the International Maritime Organisation’s Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (STW) sub-committee, a development which he says has also favourably influenced Jamaica’s global maritime status. The body sets legislation for standards of training and certification for maritime officers.