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Western Hemisphere Transport Initiative
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MINISTER HENRY OPENS MARITIME AWARENESS WEEK EXHIBITION

Minister L. Michael Henry on Tuesday, September 25, opened the Maritime Awareness Week Exhibition at the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Library. The Exhibition is one of the events on the calendar for Maritime Awareness Week which is celebrated annually during September and brings together various stakeholders within the maritime industry.

Speaking at the ceremony, newly installed Minister, the Hon. L. Michael Henry lauded the various entities within the marine sector for undertaking the exhibition to highlight the importance of protecting the marine environment. He noted that Jamaica had been a member of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) since 1976 and that the country had shown its commitment to the highest international standards in shipping by ratifying the major IMO Conventions relating to safety, competence and marine environment protection.

Under the theme, 'Jamaica's Maritime Industry Responding to Environmental Challenges', the week of activities opened with a church service at the East Queen Street Baptist Church on Sunday, September 23.

Also speaking at the opening of the exhibition were several officials from allied entities in the maritime fraternity. These included Rear Admiral Peter Brady, Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica; Captain Hopeton Delisser who represented Mr. Noel Hylton of the Port Authority of Jamaica; Mr. Lowe of the Shipping Association of Jamaica; Mr. Fritz Pinnock, Executive Director of the Caribbean Maritime Authority and Commander Sydney Innis of the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard.

Presentation of awards to students who won prizes in the Maritime Poster and Essay competitions also took place. In the 6-10 category, Deneve Sweeney walked away with the top prize while Shanae Bailey took the runner-up spot. Kimonia McDonald copped first place in the 10-15 age group section.

In outlining some of the strides that have taken place in the maritime environment, the Minister highlighted the following:

  • A feasibility study has been completed to establish a port reception facility for ship generated waste; funding is to be identified for an initial capital cost
  • Legislation is about to be prepared to embrace all of the international maritime pollution prevention response and co-operation conventions and importantly for Jamaica, compensation and liability insurance
  • Jamaica has been asked by the Imo to be a lead partner country in the Caribbean for developing the institutional and legal framework for implementing the Ballast Water Convention.

Maritime Awareness Week ends on September 29.