The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) is actively expanding its global presence as a leading maritime registry through international marketing efforts, notably targeting Greek shipowners and strengthening its ties with China.
Bahamas Preferential Maritime Agreement with China
A cornerstone of the BMA’s strategy is its reciprocal maritime transport agreement with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), initially signed in 2003. This agreement offers significant advantages for Bahamas-flagged ships, enhancing the appeal of the registry:
- Most Favored Nation Status: Shipowners from both nations receive “most favored nation” status concerning port access, stay, and facility usage in each other’s ports.
- 28% Discount on Chinese Port Charges: A key incentive, all Bahamas-flagged vessels receive a 28% discount on standard dues when calling at Chinese ports.
- Expedited Port Procedures: Chinese authorities commit to actively expediting customs procedures and other port formalities to minimize delays for Bahamian ships.
- Recognition of Documents: Certificates of registry and other ship documents issued by the BMA are officially recognized by Chinese authorities.
- Crew Treatment: The agreement provides assurance of proper and fair treatment for crew members, and seafarer identification and record books are recognized.
BMA and the Chinese Shipping Industry
The BMA has been proactively enhancing its relationship with Chinese shipping companies. In August 2024, a BMA delegation, led by Asia Regional Director Captain Jahangir Hussain, conducted a successful promotional visit to Shanghai, highlighting the strategic importance the BMA places on the growing Chinese shipping sector. The BMA expressed satisfaction with the warm welcome received from major Chinese shipping companies, recognizing their contribution to strengthening mutually beneficial relationships.
Established in 1995, the BMA has rapidly grown to become one of the largest ship registers globally, following Liberia and Panama. It holds the position of the world leader in cruise passenger ships. As of 2025, the Bahamian-flagged fleet comprises 1,650 oceangoing vessels totaling 53 million gross tons. The BMA maintains offices in Nassau, London, New York, and Hong Kong, with agents in Japan, Germany, and Greece.
2025: BMA-Greece Cooperation
In June 2025, the BMA demonstrated its commitment to the Greek shipping industry by hosting a large-scale Technical Seminar in Athens. This event, part of the Authority’s 30th Anniversary celebrations, provided crucial updates on environmental regulatory and general technical matters to a diverse audience, including shipowners, ship managers, classification societies, and other Greek maritime stakeholders.
Following the seminar, BMA’s Managing Director & CEO, Captain Dwain Hutchinson, and Deputy Director of Maritime Affairs, Captain Ghulam Hussain, joined Regional Director Dimitri Tsiftsis in visiting major Greek shipowners, including the Laskaridis, Dorian LPG, Stealth LPG, and Chartworld Groups. These visits aimed to foster industry dialogue, gather feedback on customer service, and reaffirm the BMA’s commitment to the local Greek shipping industry.
The BMA’s presence in Greece is significant; its Piraeus office celebrated its 10th Anniversary in 2024, coinciding with the Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition. Greece is home to 20% of the world’s shipowners, and Greek owners account for 17% of the Bahamas fleet, underscoring the importance of this relationship.
BMA Sponsors AMVER Awards
The Bahamas Maritime Authority is a proud sponsor of the AMVER (Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System) program, operated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to promote maritime safety. At the AMVER awards dinner in Piraeus, Greece, on December 15, 2023, the BMA was represented, and several of its clients, including Dorian LPG, Enterprises Shipping & Trading, Chartworld Maritime, and Technomar Shipping, received special rescue awards.
The BMA’s Regional Director, Dimitri Tsiftsis, also received an honorary plaque at the event, which saw attendance from high-profile figures including the Greek Minister of Shipping, the US Ambassador, USCG Officers, and the Chairman of the Greek Shipowners Union.
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Source: AJOT
