The Cayman Islands should be proud of its “modern, world class” international shipping registry which spans 120 years, according to the UK’s maritime minister.
Baroness Vere of Norbiton praised the jurisdiction’s successes during a gathering of British shipping registers from around the globe, saying, “Your reputation… is known the world over.”
Representatives from the UK, and its territories and dependencies joined together at the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort this week for the Red Ensign Group’s 34th conference
Among the topics set to come under the spotlight during the three-day event will be the challenges of innovation, greener shipping and boosting blue economies.
The conference kicked off on Tuesday, 23 May, with an opening ceremony at which Premier Wayne Panton welcomed guests on behalf of the Cayman Islands.
He said that Cayman is proud to be an active participant of the Red Ensign Group because shipping represents an important part of the islands’ history and identity.
“The sea has been the giver of life, sustenance and connection to the rest of the world,” he said, adding, “our people have saltwater in their veins”.
The premier told attendees that shipbuilding was one of Cayman’s earliest, most important industries, and provided a source of revenue and employment.
And while that industry has since diminished, the sea continued to provide jobs over the years which has seen Caymanians become known as “some of the finest seafarers in the world”.
Now the jurisdiction has moved from having an economy built through seafarers to offering “top notch” financial services including registration of vessels, Panton said.
The premier added that through the ongoing development of the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands, new infrastructure will be developed to create new global opportunities.
‘World class’
Speaking in a pre-recorded video, maritime minister Vere praised Cayman’s role in the shipping industry.
She described the Cayman Islands as having a long and rich maritime history, and reminded attendees that the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry is celebrating its 120th anniversary.
Vere said much has changed in 120 years, “but your seafaring talents have also changed with the times, adapting into the modern, world-class international registry we see today”.
Along with its global reputation, it has the “vision and potential” to grow as an international shipping centre, she added.
The minister said members of the Red Ensign Group should be proud of the international standards they are known for.
And while members are diverse, they all share common goals and objectives, she told those gathered.
“Maritime is intrinsically linked to our economies – tourism, trade and our environment. It is the basis for doing business,” she said, adding members have to face certain challenges.
“Good stewardship of our territorial seas and protection of our marine environment is absolutely vital,” the minister said.
“As the world strives to meet the challenges of climate change, we all have to adjust to the demands that continue to shape the world of shipping.”
She stressed the importance of a “well-managed, stable maritime sector” and using that stability to meet unique environmental challenges.
André Ebanks, Minister for Financial Services and Commerce, said his hope is that members leave Cayman “more inspired and even more educated than when you arrived”.
The conference will allow members to coordinate effectively to ensure their economies go from strength to strength, “and keep us at the forefront of international shipping”, he said.
The opening ceremony included singing of the national song and anthem, a flag march and Governor Jane Owen ringing a bell to mark the start of the conference.
British ships
The Red Ensign Group comprises British shipping registers made up of the United Kingdom, the Crown dependencies and the UK’s overseas territories.
Shipping registers are official databases that document information about ships and their ownership to help maintain safety and security standards in the shipping industry.
Any vessel registered in one of the Red Ensign Group member nations is a ‘British ship’ and is entitled to fly the Red Ensign flag.
Category one members, including the Cayman Islands, can register ships of unlimited tonnage and type.
Category two members can register commercial ships and pleasure vessels of up to 150 gross tonnes.
Attending the conference were representatives of the UK, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, St. Helena, and Turks and Caicos Islands.
There were also delegates from non-ship registry overseas territories of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Ascension and Tristan Da Cunha.
The first conference was held in 1988 as an opportunity for the registrars to get together to share ideas, harmonise processes and discuss ways forward.
Since then it has expanded to cover seafarer welfare and regulatory matters as well as coastal preparedness including search and rescue and pollution response.
Every year it is held at different locations, reflecting the geography of the Red Ensign Group. This is the fifth time the conference has been hosted by the Cayman Islands.
Also attending the conference were Katy Ware, director of UK maritime services at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency; and Joel Walton, chief executive officer of the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands.
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