A three-day workshop enabled government ministries and agencies to dialogue on developing a policy for broader national ocean governance.
The Division of Maritime Affairs of the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) recently facilitated a three-day workshop organized by the International Maritime Organization and the World Maritime University.
The workshop aimed to provide assistance to IMO member states in formulating a national maritime transport policy.
A the workshop, government ministries and agencies dialogued on developing a policy for broader national ocean governance.
The Director of Maritime Affairs, Christopher Alexander, said the initiative will nurture better inter-relations among maritime departments.
“This will enable Saint Lucia to develop economics that are linked to maritime; to formally establish our open ship registry and give us advice along those lines; and to get advice and guidance as we proceed with our maritime boundaries and limitations.”
He added that the first maritime partnerships had already been made.
“We have already signed an agreement with Barbados and now we are hoping to have an agreement signed with Saint Vincent. So those are highly certified persons at the IMO who will be bestowing on our local persons the expertise and knowledge to ensure our maritime industry has the requisites to move forward.”
IMO Maritime Policy Development Officer, Jonathan Bace, said the organization has embarked on a project that will lend assistance to small island developing member states, to create a policy that will stand for years ahead.
