Bahamas Expresses Support for IMO Reduction of Administrative Burdens

The Bahamas Maritime Authority is participating in the IMO Steering Group's online consultation on the Reduction of Administrative Burdens.

The following writeup appeared in the registry's most recent newsletter:

Reduction of Administrative Burdens

Despite the economic downturn, IMO continues with its work - meetings come thick and fast in the first six months of the year.

While the overwhelming thrust of developments is directed at producing new regulations and guidance, or updating existing instruments, there is one important new initiative to be launched soon – the consultation on the Reduction of Administrative Burdens. This is an issue which has long been a priority for The Bahamas. We have consistently pushed for regulatory text which is practical, proportionate and clear in intent and expression. We strive to ensure that the people at the sharp end – the seafarers – are allowed to get on with their crucial role in trade and development without being burdened with bureaucratic or unnecessary paperwork and record-keeping.

It is widely recognised that some of the older regulations, drafted in the pre-electronic age, contain a large number of administrative requirements that are now seen as unnecessary or even obsolete. But even for those that are still needed, there may be improvements that could be made to the process of record-keeping or submission. These administrative requirements affect all sectors of our industry – ship-operators, masters and crew, and even States themselves.

The IMO Steering Group, in which The Bahamas was selected to be a participant, has set up a web-based consultation which will run until 31 October 2013. The consultation is public and anyone may participate – either as an individual or on behalf of an organisation. The website features a flexible “administrative requirement selection” process which allows isolation of requirements by stakeholder-group or instrument but there is nothing to prevent anyone from commenting on any number of requirements.

This is a rare opportunity for everyone to directly influence the IMO process and it is important that the widest possible range of responses is received. When the consultation closes, all responses will be analysed by the Steering Group which is tasked with providing recommendations to the IMO Council for implementation. If you want to participate then keep an eye out for the launch publicity and see the BMA website for a link to the consultation.