Bahamas Shipowners Association

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Bahamas Shipowners Association The Bahamas Shipowners Association collaborates with global regulating bodies to provide active support for safe and efficient marine transportation

The Bahamas Shipowners Association (BSA) was inaugurated in London on 11 July 1997 by the then Bahamas Minister of Transport, James F Knowles. The Association represents the shipowners of the sixth largest register in the world and members have common interests and a purpose. Having joined, most members choose to remain members of this influential body, pooling knowledge and experience, and collectively provide a clear voice on industry matters.

As the International Maritime Organization - IMO considers the future direction of international biofouling management, ...
22/10/2026

As the International Maritime Organization - IMO considers the future direction of international biofouling management, industry input will be essential to ensuring that future measures are practical, proportionate, and workable for global shipping.​

BIMCO has invited shipowners and operators to share their practical experience with the 2023 IMO Biofouling Guidelines, including their implementation, effectiveness, operational challenges, and areas where further guidance or clarification may be needed.​

The survey forms part of a broader BIMCO evidence-gathering initiative, alongside surveys for port agents and biofouling service providers. Together, the findings will support BIMCO’s engagement at the IMO as discussions progress on a possible legally binding Biofouling Convention, likely to be adopted in 2029.​

The Bahamas Shipowners Association (BSA) encourages its Members, who have not already done so, to contribute feedback and help ensure that future biofouling measures reflect operational realities across the global fleet, before the survey closes on the 24th October 2026.​

👉 Learn more at: bit.ly/4zEK8HF

Our sincere thanks to Stephen Keenan of the Bahamas Maritime Authority for closing the presentations at the BSA Maritime...
14/10/2026

Our sincere thanks to Stephen Keenan of the Bahamas Maritime Authority for closing the presentations at the BSA Maritime Industry Forum in Genoa with an insightful look at Port State Control and the lessons behind the statistics.

One particularly important message was that Port State Control is increasingly about more than simply identifying and correcting individual deficiencies. The more valuable question is why the systems intended to prevent those deficiencies failed in the first place.

Fire safety continues to feature prominently among detainable deficiencies, while new technology brings new challenges of its own.

As ships become increasingly automated and alternative fuels and new propulsion technologies enter the fleet, effective ship-specific familiarisation and crew competence become even more important. Technology may change what happens onboard, but it does not remove the human element.

Stephen also highlighted the encouraging improvement in the Bahamas fleet’s detention-to-fleet ratio over recent years — evidence of progress, but certainly no reason for complacency.

Thank you, Stephen, for sharing the BMA’s perspective and experience with us, and for helping turn the discussion from simply what goes wrong to the much more useful question of why.

What does a ship designed today need to be capable of during a working life extending decades into the future?Our thanks...
08/10/2026

What does a ship designed today need to be capable of during a working life extending decades into the future?

Our thanks to Francesco Giacobone of Fincantieri for bringing the shipbuilder’s perspective to the BSA Maritime Industry Forum in Genoa.

With uncertainty surrounding future fuels, infrastructure and regulation, one of the strongest messages from Francesco’s presentation was the importance of flexibility and adaptability.

New technologies cannot be considered in isolation. Their maturity, the infrastructure required to support them, lifecycle economics and the ability of a vessel to adapt as technology and regulation evolve all form part of the investment decision.

From hydrogen-powered vessels to increasing digitalisation and automation, Francesco gave us a fascinating glimpse into how these questions are already influencing the ships being designed and built today.

A particularly interesting perspective when placed alongside the geopolitical, regulatory and operational challenges discussed by our other panellists.

Thank you, Francesco, for sharing Fincantieri’s knowledge and experience with us and for a very thought-provoking contribution to the Forum.

Our sincere thanks to Tom Williams of NorthStandard for joining the BSA Maritime Industry Forum in Genoa and sharing his...
06/10/2026

Our sincere thanks to Tom Williams of NorthStandard for joining the BSA Maritime Industry Forum in Genoa and sharing his perspective on geopolitics and marine insurance.

Tom’s presentation was a timely reminder of just how directly geopolitical developments now affect everyday shipping operations.

Looking at the Red Sea, the Strait of Hormuz and the Black Sea, he highlighted that the ultimate constraint on trade is not necessarily whether insurance remains available, but whether the threat to ships and crews reaches a level at which operations can no longer reasonably continue.

The discussion also illustrated the complexity of operating in these environments. War risk is only part of the picture: mines, collision and grounding risks, disruption to AIS and navigation, vessels becoming trapped by rapidly changing circumstances, and the practical difficulties of casualty response all need to be considered.

Perhaps most importantly, Tom brought the discussion back to the people onboard. Behind every assessment of geopolitical and insurance risk are seafarers being asked to operate in increasingly uncertain circumstances.

Thank you, Tom, for an insightful presentation and for contributing your experience and thoughts to our panel discussion.

This year’s BSA Annual General Meeting in Genoa marked an important moment for the Association, as Anders Brodje handed ...
02/10/2026

This year’s BSA Annual General Meeting in Genoa marked an important moment for the Association, as Anders Brodje handed over the role of BSA Manager to Simon Church.

Anders steps down after ten years as Manager of the Bahamas Shipowners Association, during which time he has worked closely with the Association’s Chair, Directors and members, the Bahamas Maritime Authority, and colleagues throughout the international maritime community.

Over those ten years, both shipping and the environment in which international shipowners’ associations operate have changed considerably. Throughout, the BSA has continued to provide a forum for its members, bringing people together, exchanging knowledge and experience, and contributing the shipowner perspective to the wider maritime debate.

The Association would like to thank Anders for his commitment and contribution to the BSA over the past decade and wish him every success for the future.

At the same time, we are very pleased to welcome Simon Church as the new BSA Manager and look forward to working with him as he takes the Association forward into its next chapter.

A change of watch—and a new chapter for the BSA. ⚓

A great afternoon in Genoa as the Bahamas Shipowners Association (BSA) held its 2026 Annual General Meeting and Maritime...
30/09/2026

A great afternoon in Genoa as the Bahamas Shipowners Association (BSA) held its 2026 Annual General Meeting and Maritime Industry Forum.

Bringing together BSA Directors, members, colleagues and friends from across the maritime community, the afternoon provided an opportunity not only to conduct the formal business of the Association, but also to look beyond the immediate horizon at some of the issues shaping our industry.

We were particularly pleased to welcome senior representatives of the Bahamas Maritime Authority, including Madame Chair Jacqueline Simmons, Deputy Chair Peter John Goulandris and CEO & Managing Director Dwain Hutchinson. Their participation reflects the close relationship between the BSA and the BMA and the importance of continued dialogue between shipowners and the Administration.

Our Maritime Industry Forum brought together three very different perspectives — geopolitics and marine insurance, the future of shipbuilding and technology, and Port State Control and regulatory compliance — followed by a joint panel discussion.

A particular thank you to our speakers and panellists, Tom Williams of NorthStandard, Francesco Giacobone of Fincantieri and Stephen Keenan of the Bahamas Maritime Authority, for sharing their considerable knowledge, experience and thoughts with us.

Our sincere thanks also to Lockton P.L. Ferrari for hosting us at the beautiful Villa Pallavicino in Genoa and for their generous hospitality.

A thought-provoking afternoon — and, most importantly, a very good opportunity to bring people together and exchange ideas about the future of our industry.

It is a pleasure to host Francesco Giacobone, Head of Innovation Strategy & Portfolio at Fincantieri , at the Bahamas Sh...
28/09/2026

It is a pleasure to host Francesco Giacobone, Head of Innovation Strategy & Portfolio at Fincantieri , at the Bahamas Shipowners Association (BSA) Maritime Industry Forum 2026 & Annual General Meeting, taking place in Genoa on September 30, 2026.

He will be speaking on “The Future of Shipbuilding: Fleet renewal, emerging technologies, alternative propulsion, digitalization and investment decisions”, bringing Fincantieri’s innovation and strategic perspective to a discussion on how the industry is preparing for the next generation of vessels.

The BSA looks forward to drawing on his experience across innovation strategy, emerging technologies, sustainability, transformation, and the digital development of the maritime sector, and exchanging views on the future of global shipbuilding.

📍 Villa Pallavicino delle Peschiere, Genoa, Italy

🕑 14:35 CEST, local time in Genoa

BSA Members and invited guests can register to attend:

🔹 In person: https://bit.ly/4cqKKas

🔹 Online: https://bit.ly/4g2gt44

The ocean sustains millions of livelihoods, provides food security, supports marine biodiversity and regulates our clima...
24/09/2026

The ocean sustains millions of livelihoods, provides food security, supports marine biodiversity and regulates our climate, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

At the same time, the seas and the maritime industry are vital to global trade and the world economy, with over 80% of global trade by volume carried by sea.

On this occasion, the Bahamas Shipowners Association (BSA) joins the International Maritime Organization - IMO in marking World Maritime Day 2026, under the theme: “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence”.

This theme, which will run for two years, highlights the industry’s commitment to putting policies into practice and turning shared objectives into meaningful progress.

Let us all play our part in ensuring a safe, sustainable, and resilient maritime industry for generations to come.

Mr. Tom Williams, Head of Underwriting, Offshore & Renewables at NorthStandard, will be a speaker at the Bahamas Shipown...
23/09/2026

Mr. Tom Williams, Head of Underwriting, Offshore & Renewables at NorthStandard, will be a speaker at the Bahamas Shipowners Association (BSA) Maritime Industry Forum 2026 & Annual General Meeting, taking place in Genoa on September 30, 2026.

Drawing on his experience in marine insurance, P&I underwriting, and the offshore and renewables sector, Mr. Williams will contribute to the panel discussion “Geopolitical Risk & Marine Insurance: The impact of geopolitical developments on trade, operational risk, sanctions, marine insurance and P&I.”

The discussion comes at a time when global shipping is operating in an increasingly complex risk environment, making industry dialogue and shared perspectives more important than ever.

📍 Villa Pallavicino delle Peschiere, Genoa, Italy
🕑 14:35 CEST, local time in Genoa

BSA Members and invited guests can register to attend:
🔹 In person: bit.ly/4cqKKas
🔹 Online: bit.ly/4g2gt44

The Bahamas Shipowners Association (BSA) is pleased to announce the participation of Mr. Stephen Keenan, Senior Deputy D...
23/09/2026

The Bahamas Shipowners Association (BSA) is pleased to announce the participation of Mr. Stephen Keenan, Senior Deputy Director – Head of Inspections & Surveys Department at the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA), in the BSA Maritime Industry Forum 2026 & Annual General Meeting, taking place in Genoa on September 30, 2026.

Mr. Keenan will share his insights on “Port State Control & Compliance: Lessons from recent PSC inspection trends and their implications for safety, compliance and operational performance,” bringing the BMA’s perspective on flag State inspections and surveys, PSC performance, and technical and regulatory compliance.

📍 Villa Pallavicino delle Peschiere, Genoa, Italy

🕑 14:35 CEST, local time in Genoa

BSA Members and invited guests can register to attend:

🔹 In person: https://bit.ly/4cqKKas

🔹 Online: https://bit.ly/4g2gt44

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226 Shirley Street
City Of Nassau
N-4679

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