Ministry Of International Transport Introduced Nine Bills In 2024

The Ministry of International Transport introduced nine pieces of legislative framework necessary for the enhancement of the maritime environment, and eight of them are now Acts.

Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, made this disclosure today at the Minister’s Award of Maritime Excellence for 2024 presentation ceremony, held at the Ministry’s One Barbados Place, Warrens, St. Michael location.

He noted that the legislation was necessary for building out Barbados’ policies and infrastructure for the maritime sector.

“My team here at the Ministry has been working assiduously to develop the policy and legislative framework necessary for the enhancement of the maritime environment as part of the national strategy for ensuring safe shipping for Barbadian-registered vessels operating on both domestic and international voyages. And for ensuring matters concerning decent shipboard living and working conditions for the seafarers working onboard or onshore are prioritised,” Minister Gooding-Edghill stated.

The eight Acts, which provide support and legal infrastructure for strategic sustainable development of the Barbados maritime sector, are the Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic Act, 2024; Shipping (Domestic Vessels) Act, 2024; Marine Transport (Emissions Control) Act, 2024; Merchant Shipping Act, 2024; Merchant Shipping (Liability and Compensation) Act, 2024; Merchant Shipping (Liner Conferences) Act, 2024; Merchant Shipping (Multimodal Transport) Act, 2024; and Merchant Shipping (Maritime Marriage) Act, 2024.

“These laws incorporate international maritime safety, security and marine environmental protection standards set by the International Maritime Organization. Additionally, these suites of legislation also provide the supporting legal infrastructure for strategic and sustainable development of Barbados’ maritime sector,” Mr. Gooding-Edghill stated.

In addition, he pointed out that the Maritime and Underwater Heritage Act was debated in the House of Assembly as well as the Senate in December 2024 and is currently undergoing the final enactment process.

Author: Sheena Forde-Craigg