BMA Goes to Japan

As part of its strategy to make further inroads into the Japanese shipping market the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) is opening its new office in the heart of Tokyo's Minato district.

BMA’s new office at Nishi-Shinbashi was inaugurated by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas, the Honorable Peter Turnquest.

The office will provide direct service to the Japanese maritime market, the world’s second largest in terms of vessel tonnage.

Turnquest said: “Japan is a great maritime nation, and The Bahamas Ship Registry is one of the world’s top registries.  The Opening of our BMA Tokyo office represents an even closer commitment to serving our valued Japanese shipowner clients.  This will benefit the Japanese maritime community, and it will further the growth of The Bahamas Flag, which has been a consistent contributor to our economy.”

To commemorate this important occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Turnquest was joined by Minister of Transport and Local Government, Renward Wells, the Minister responsible for the BMA.  “The BMA serves its maritime clients comprehensively, rapidly and proactively.  Though we have been registering and administering Japanese-owned vessels for many years, I am confident that our permanent office presence in Tokyo will enable us to further enhance our support for Japanese maritime interests, and build on the BMA’s impressive record of success,” said Minister Wells.

Captain Dwain Hutchinson, Acting Managing Director and CEO at the BMA commented: “As the 2nd largest ship owning country of dead-weight tonnage (UNCTAD Maritime Review 2018), we recognise the strategic importance and integral role Japan plays in the global maritime sector.  This dedicated office will allow us to enhance our service delivery with exclusive BMA staff who will continue to be supported by our regional Classification Societies and Nautical Inspectors. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the Japanese maritime cluster through our Tokyo office.”

Bahamas flagged  vessels are accorded the highest Flag rating by Port States in the Asia Pacific region, the European region (Paris MOU), and the US Coast Guard under QUALSHIP 21.