BMA Joins Bahamas Shipowners Association for AGM & Maritime Industry Forum

On 30 September, the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) participated in the Bahamas Shipowners Association (BSA) Annual General Meeting and Maritime Industry Forum 2026, held in Genoa. The forum was centered around the theme "Building Resilience in a Changing Maritime Landscape." This event provided the BMA, shipowners, and other industry stakeholders with a crucial platform to discuss regulatory, operational, and strategic matters concerning the international fleet.

The BMA delegation, led by Board Chairman Jacqueline M. Simmons, included Deputy Chairman Peter John Goulandris, Managing Director & CEO Capt. Dwain Hutchinson, Stephen Keenan (Senior Deputy Director of Inspections & Surveys), and Capt. Ghulam Hussain (Deputy Director of Maritime Affairs). They delivered an update on the BMA, covering fleet developments, legislative achievements, and strategic plans for growth. The focus remained on industry engagement, digitalization, and providing quality customer service.

The BMA also honored outgoing BSA Chairman Capt. Domenico Rognoni and Manager Anders Brodjie, expressing gratitude for their contributions to the Association and their support for the BSA-BMA partnership. A warm welcome was extended to Simon Church, the new BSA Manager, emphasizing the importance of collaboration.

The BMA's active involvement with international organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) was highlighted, along with the ongoing collaboration with shipowners to support effective regulation. This engagement is increasingly vital as the maritime industry strives for greater clarity and certainty amid global challenges like wars and the shift towards cleaner shipping.

During the forum, an update on Port State Control (PSC) was provided, including The Bahamas Flag's QUALSHIP 21 status, global PSC performance, enhanced monitoring, and the use of inspection intelligence to offer targeted guidance to owners and managers. Discussions also addressed global trends impacting PSC outcomes, crew training, and the significance of continuous engagement with PSC regimes internationally.

The BMA values its enduring relationship with the BSA and the practical insights its members provide, recognizing that ongoing dialogue with key industry stakeholders helps the BMA better understand emerging challenges, enhance its services, and ensure that the Bahamas Flag maintains high regulatory standards alongside responsive and customer-focused support.