Minister Vaz Affirms Jamaica’s Commitment to Maritime Excellence

Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz, has affirmed Jamaica’s commitment to ensuring a safe, secure, resilient, efficient and sustainable maritime sector.

In his message to mark World Maritime Day on September 24, Minister Vaz said that the 2026 theme, ‘From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence’, is particularly relevant to Jamaica, given the country’s heavy reliance on maritime transport for the importation of energy, raw materials and other critical goods that support the functioning of the economy.

He pointed to growing pressure on the global shipping and supply-chain environment, including geopolitical developments, conflicts, disruptions to major shipping routes and climate-related events.

The Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Minister highlighted that these disruptions could have direct implications for Jamaica, particularly in relation to the availability and cost of energy and essential commodities.

Against this background, Minister Vaz said Jamaica has demonstrated its commitment to implementing maritime policy.

For just over 50 years, Jamaica has been a Member State of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and has worked to align its national maritime framework with international standards and obligations.

Minister Vaz highlighted Jamaica’s accession to important international maritime conventions, as well as practical measures taken to implement these commitments through the establishment and strengthening of institutions, including the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ).

“These efforts have contributed to the development of a maritime transport system that is safe, efficient, secure, and increasingly sustainable,” the Minister said.

He noted, however, that achieving high-quality maritime operations requires collaboration across the sector.

“Maritime excellence cannot be achieved by government alone,” he said, noting the important contributions of seafarers, port workers, ship operators, maritime professionals, regulators, industry stakeholders and government in translating global commitments into practical outcomes.

World Maritime Day, which is observed on the last Thursday of September every year, provides an opportunity to recognise the contribution of shipping and the people who sustain the industry.

It also reinforces the need for continued action to build a resilient maritime sector capable of supporting Jamaica’s economic development and responding to emerging global challenges.

The observance further highlights the importance of sustained collaboration among government, industry and maritime professionals in ensuring that Jamaica remains responsive to evolving international maritime standards and practices.