Highlights of Posidonia 2024

This year’s Posidonia represented a milestone for The Bahamas Maritime Authority.  It took place ten years, almost to the day, after The BMA’s Greek office was officially opened by our Minister of Transport at the same event in 2014.  The Bahamas’ high-level commitment to shipping was demonstrated by the attendance of The Bahamas Minister of Energy & Transport and The BMA Board of Directors’ Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

We were all privileged to be back in Greece, where 20% of the world’s shipowners are located, many of whom have chosen to register with The Bahamas, making us one of the eight largest flags in the world.  In fact, 17% of our fleet is owned by Greek shipowners, so Posidonia gave us the chance to meet with friends and colleagues. The Greek market remains of strategic importance to us with The BMA Greek and global team offering a complete range of registration services, full technical support and the provision of seafarers’ documentation for our Greek Owners and Managers.

Posidonia also provided the perfect opportunity for us to meet with government officials, clients and maritime industry leaders in the exhibition halls, at the many receptions and in the nearby offices of the Greek shipowners. The sharing of experiences, briefing on new initiatives being undertaken, and introduction of technology and services by the different sectors of our industry is invaluable in the development of our policies and procedures.

During our time in Athens, The Bahamas delegation valued reconnecting with our recognised Class Societies, who are essential partners in ensuring that our ships and the onboard equipment are safely maintained and operated.

The wide-ranging discussions explored collaborative approaches in addressing maritime challenges. From decarbonisation, to talent recruitment, to enhancing crew security amid expanding geopolitical risks, our shared commitment is aimed at achieving effective and practical solutions together.

Our key message was partnership for a sustainable future and we believe that we have achieved industry support for this approach. We look forward to 2026 when we can return to Posidonia once again.

It was a pleasure to convey some Bahamian warmth and hospitality at our stand throughout the event but, for those who were unable to join us, we are happy to share some of the photo highlights that showcase the vibrant energy and meaningful connections forged during this pivotal week.