The Bahamas Shipowners Association promotes safe, secure and environmentally sound shipping operating in an open market on a level playing field.
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Operating worldwide in intense global competition, Bahamian flagged shipowners create enormous value for the world economy.
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The Bahamas Shipowners Association recognise the importance of protecting the unique features of the sea and its environment for current and future generations.
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The Bahamas Shipowners Association, in close cooperation with the Bahamas Maritime Authority, is committed to the upkeep of high safety standards.
policies
The Bahamas Flag ranks among the top 10 of the world’s largest fleets, regardless of measure, controlling about 1600 ships and rigs at any one time. Operating worldwide in intense global competition, Bahamian flagged shipowners create enormous value for the world economy as well as for the Bahamian economy. The Bahamas Shipowners Association strives for international competitiveness for the Bahamian flagged shipping industry.
The BSA is dedicated to harmonizing international conditions and promoting an internationally neutral competitive market.
Ensuring a level playing field for all flags, the BSA values open access to the shipping market.
Collaboration with the Bahamas Maritime Authority is crucial to achieving and sustaining competitive frameworks.
The BSA continuously works to establish, maintain, and develop favourable conditions for maritime business in the Bahamas.
Strongly supporting the Bahamas government, the BSA aims to keep the country at the forefront of shipping regulation.
Monitoring global shipping market developments, the BSA works closely with the Bahamas Maritime Authority to uphold the international competitiveness of the Bahamian Flag.
policies
The sea has been used for transport of goods and people throughout all times of history. The sea has unique features allowing transport of large quantities of goods using very little energy as compared to any other mode of transport, ensuring sea transport is the most environmentally friendly mean of transport. Despite being the least polluting mode of transport, efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of shipping continue. Shipping, if not managed properly, can lead to catastrophic consequences for the maritime and global environment. Potential harms include oil and chemical spills, Green House Gas emissions, invasive species through ballast water exchange, and underwater noise from ships.
The Bahamas Shipowners Association recognise the importance of protecting the unique features of the sea and its environment for current and future generations.
The Bahamas Shipowners Association actively participates in sustainable shipping development, particularly through involvement in the International Chamber of Shipping.
The Bahamas Shipowners Association supports competitively neutral regulation and solutions to minimize negative environmental impacts.
The Bahamas Shipowners Association emphasise the importance of demonstrated effectiveness in implementing regulations and technical solutions and oppose development solely driven by technical considerations, advocating for solutions addressing identified needs.
policies
The Bahamas Shipowners Association, in close cooperation with the Bahamas Maritime Authority, is committed to the upkeep of high safety standards, and the Bahamas Flag is ranked among the very top with regard to results from Port State Controls. This is a result of long-term and continuous safety building efforts between the Bahamas shipowners and the Bahamian Maritime Authority.
Safety in shipping encompasses various aspects, including navigational safety and the health-related well-being of merchant sailors.
The Bahamas Shipowners Association actively supports its Members in achieving high safety standards as an integral part of daily business operations.
Key factors to achieving high standards for safety include training, proper functionality of onboard equipment, and the construction and maintenance of ships to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
Each ship operated by the company undergoes a separate inspection to obtain a Safety Management Certificate (SMC), ensuring compliance with the Safety Management System (SMS).
The Bahamas Shipowners Association (BSA) was inaugurated in London on 11 July 1997. The Association represents the shipowners of the sixth largest register in the world and members have common interests and a purpose.