The Barbados Ship Registry was originally started over a hundred years ago under the auspices of the UK Merchant Shipping Acts. In 1969, Barbados joined the United Nations International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The Barbados Government decided in 1993 to formulate new shipping legislation that would allow foreign owners and nationals to own and man Barbados registered ships, which culminated in the Shipping Act 1994. In its present form the Barbados Maritime Ship Registry (BMSR), has been in existence since 1994. BMSR is a highly reputed open ship registry headquartered in London with offices around the world.
At the Barbados Maritime Ship Registry we take pride in the quality of the services we offer and place great emphasis on delivering the Registry’s services promptly while at the same time taking on board the many responsibilities, which are rightly expected of a Maritime Administration by the shipping industry. We pride ourselves on our proactive approach to safety and inspection issues and require all our vessels to be well managed and to meet international maritime and environmental conventions. A wide range of internationally owned vessels of all types fly the Barbados Flag. Underwritten by our two commitments to the Marine industry:
1. Good Governance
Recognition of its responsibilities to the international maritime community
2. Duty of Care
Recognition of its responsibilities to monitor the condition and operation of its ships and the conditions of employment of their crews
In carrying out our responsibilities we continue to demonstrate our commitment to the maintenance of this Registry’s enviable reputation and that of the vessels which fly the Barbadian Flag.
Ships operate under an increasingly complex set of legislative requirements. It is necessary to have a flag administration able to provide both guidance in avoiding difficulties and assistance where difficulties cannot be avoided.
Today the relationship between Flag Administration and Ship Owner/Operator is more crucial than ever before, with each relying on the other; working as a team in relation to the management of their ships. BMSR understand that speed of decisions, same day acknowledgements, quick turnaround of paperwork, low costs and service quality are crucial elements a Flag must offer. The services BMSR offer are at the very heart of what makes us a registry of quality. Many of our services are unique and have been developed specifically for the direct benefit of our clients. In return BMSR want responsible owners that take pride in their ships and the quality management systems they adopt.
BMSR has Paris MOU White List status and was amongst the first five Countries to gain the US Coast Guard’s QUALSHIP 21 recognition in 2005 and is still in the Top 10. BMSR was one of the first Ship Registries in 2003 to be certified as ISO 9001 compliant.
