Caribbean maritime governance is set for a significant upgrade following the launch of the Caribbean Sustainable Maritime Transport – Law (Carib-SMART-Law) project by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a two-year initiative aimed at strengthening legislative frameworks and institutional capacity across the region.
The program, funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was officially launched on June 23 during the IMO’s Fifth Regional Meeting of Directors and Heads of Maritime Administrations (DIHMAR), currently underway in Guyana.
In a June 23 Facebook post, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar announced that Guyana is among 13 countries selected to participate in the program, which is focused on helping Caribbean states modernize maritime governance, strengthen regulatory frameworks and improve compliance with international maritime standards.
Under the initiative, participating countries will receive targeted support to ratify and implement priority maritime conventions, strengthen coordination among national agencies, and modernize regulatory frameworks. A key component of the preparatory phase involves appointing national focal points and developing legislative roadmaps to guide reforms and accelerate implementation.
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The IMO will provide technical assistance through its Regional Presence Office, including support for drafting legislation, developing inter-agency procedures, and advancing national maritime policy objectives.
Guyana’s maritime sector has expanded rapidly alongside the growth of offshore oil production in the Stabroek Block. ExxonMobil-led operations have increased demand for vessel operators, seafarers, engineers, logistics personnel and other maritime professionals, while driving investment in ports, shorebases and marine support services.
The sector now supports a growing fleet of offshore support vessels responsible for transporting cargo, equipment and personnel to and from offshore installations. As offshore activity continues to expand, Guyana is expected to strengthen both its technical capacity and policy framework to support the industry’s evolving needs.
