Future of Caribbean maritime sector dependent on cooperation – Industry leaders

Strengthening regional cooperation and building more resilient maritime administrations must be the key focus of Directors and Heads of Maritime Administrations, Guyana’s Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar has said.

Speaking at the fifth Regional Meeting of Directors and Heads of Maritime Administrations (DIMAR), which opened on Sunday, the Minister said the forum provides an important opportunity for Caribbean states and territories to address shared maritime challenges and develop practical solutions through collaboration.

He said this should not only be a place for issues to be brought up but solutions as well.

“The maritime transport industry really is the backbone of this planet,” Indar said.

Caribbean maritime leaders and representatives of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are among the visiting delegation.

Maritime transport remains critical to trade, economic growth, food security and environmental stewardship across the region.

The minister said Caribbean countries face many of the same issues, including maritime security concerns, environmental pressures, shipping disruptions and the need to strengthen institutional capacity. He emphasised that regional cooperation is essential to improving maritime governance, enhancing safety standards and ensuring sustainable development.

He also said forums such as DIMAR create space for meaningful dialogue among maritime administrations while encouraging the development of long-term solutions that reflect the realities of the Caribbean.

In Guyana, he said there is a commitment to modernising the maritime sector through infrastructure investments, improved safety systems, stronger regulatory frameworks and greater regional engagement.  He said tackling these issues requires the sharing of databases and information.

Carlos Salgado, Head of the Latin America and Caribbean Section of the IMO’s Technical Cooperation and Implementation Division, also said as the sector undergoes rapid transformation, there is need for collective action.

He said that technological advances, changing global trade patterns, decarbonisation efforts and climate change are reshaping the industry.

As such, the region’s future depends on safe, efficient and sustainable shipping supported by modern institutions, effective regulations and strong partnerships.

“For the Caribbean, the sea is not just geography. It is our shared future,” Salgado said.

He said the IMO remains committed to supporting Caribbean countries through technical cooperation programmes aimed at strengthening governance, building human capacity and improving resilience.