A GLOBAL SHIP REGISTRY Antigua and Barbuda:
Finding a success story to tell in a small developing Caribbean nation is rare. The short story which follows signifies a very profound quest of one small nation, Antigua and Barbuda, to compete with the international giants of shipping registries. And, it is a story worth telling.
After conducting research to write this story, I came to the realization that, the efforts required to be competitive
and remain successful in the top ranking of ship registries globally are harder, much more demanding and difficult. Yet, this small developing State nation’s Registry of Antigua and Barbuda is poised steadfastly on the road to growth, prosperity and economic sustainability.
The Antigua and Barbuda Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping (ADOMS) is responsible for the registration of ships globally and regionally under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda. The Ship Registry of Antigua and Barbuda is an entity of ADOMS and has become a global and impressive ship registry of which Antiguans and Barbudans should be enormously proud.
The mission of the Ship Registry is deliberate. It is strategic and persistent in its appetite to become the “go to” ship registry worldwide while promoting an internal culture which consistently targets customer satisfaction in quality service through guidelines, recommendations for performance optimization, safety improvements and security in the maritime sector.
The Antigua and Barbuda Ship Registry has grown progressively, exponentially, and remarkably upwards in the global ranking of ship registries since its inception in 1986 and notably within the past five years. Currently, it ranks in the top 20 Flag States for tonnage and in the top 10 Flag States worldwide for number of vessels. This Registry is increasingly recognized by the international maritime community for improving its safety record, growth and strong experienced professional and competent human resources.
The flag State of Antigua and Barbuda is on the “White list” of all major Memorandum of Understanding or “MOUs” on Port State Control; the most rigorous is the Paris MOU having adopted an effective and successful concentration inspection campaign previously, and which is now replaced by a more comprehensive new inspection regime. Because a vast majority of Antigua and Barbuda flagged vessels are owned by Germans and trade predominantly within Europe, the flag Administration of Antigua and Barbuda is quite vigilant and proactive in its approach to seaworthiness of its vessels. The flag Administration has been consistently on the Paris MOU for the past five (5) years and is certified according to ISO 9001:2008 standards.
The leading forces at the helm of this remarkable success story are the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, led by the Honourable Dr. Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister and Minister responsible for the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping and Dwight C. R. Gardiner, Director and Registrar General of ADOMS.
According to the Honourable Prime Minister, “My vision and mandate are for Antigua and Barbuda nationals to be trained in the maritime industry and I have sanctioned a programme designed to expose our nationals to seafaring as a maritime career while enhancing maritime capacity building nationally resulting in their exposure to and accessing seafaring as a viable maritime career.” As the Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the International Maritime Organization (ILO) in London, England, Dwight C. R. Gardiner has tactically and strategically overseen the evolution, growth, and diversification of the Antigua and Barbuda Maritime Administration at a global level. His cumulative years in the Maritime Industry and his formidable educational and experiential backgrounds have ably prepared and equipped him to lead the evolution of the Antigua and Barbuda Maritime Administration into a reputable, enviable and excellent model (globally and regionally).
Unquestionably, the Honourable Dr. Winston Baldwin Spencer and Dwight C. R. Gardiner are leaders and visionaries committed to keeping the Antigua and Barbuda Ship Registry in the top ranking Flag States worldwide for tonnage. These leaders and visionaries have and continue to work tirelessly to place and keep the Antigua and Barbuda Flag on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) “White List” as a member state giving full and complete effect to the implementation of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers.
At the “Senior Maritime Administrators of the Caribbean Workshop 2011” held in Port of Spain, Trinidad (February 2011), the State of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines put forward a “Statement of Recognition” motion to recognize and honour three noted leaders. The Statement of Recognition referred to these leaders as “our proverbial prophets” from whom inspiration can be drawn for their dynamism and leadership in Caribbean maritime administration; one of these was Dwight C. R. Gardiner. The motion was passed to honour Dwight C. R. Gardiner as one of the Caribbean’s dynamic and progressive leaders for his current and future leadership in Caribbean maritime administration.
When Gardiner was asked to what other factors he credits the quest and remarkable success of this small nation in the global and regional ship registry, he said, “It is a team approach. I give huge credit to the success of this Administration to the diverse, highly skilled, experienced and professional team of the Department. The team works tirelessly to realize the vision and mandate of ADOMS and is totally supportive and committed to the implementation of the goals and objectives of the organization.”
The Honourable Dr. Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister and Dwight C.R. Gardiner continue to demonstrate and provide exemplary leadership in keeping the Ship Registry of Antigua and Barbuda in the top ranking ship registries, globally. This is the remarkable success story of one small nation’s (Antigua and Barbuda) profound quest to ascent to the top ranking in ship registries.
P. Neil Edwards Partner Consultant
MIT (Global) Consulting Group Toronto, Ontario, Canada
www.mitglobalconsulting.com
BusinessFocus • December/January 11/12 | 47
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