BMA Cruise Ship Seminar Focuses on Safety, Compliance and Operations

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) hosted its Cruise Ship Seminar on October 13-14, 2026, bringing together maritime regulators, government agencies and industry stakeholders for two days of discussions on technical compliance, regulatory developments and cruise ship operations in The Bahamas.

The seminar provided an opportunity for direct engagement between the BMA, the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Bahamian government agencies and cruise industry representatives on matters affecting the safe, efficient and environmentally responsible operation of cruise vessels.

The first day focused on technical and regulatory matters, including Port State Control (PSC) performance, recurring deficiencies and USCG feedback on the performance of Bahamas-flagged vessels. Presentations also covered marine investigations, developments relating to the Merchant Shipping Act, cruise-specific technical matters, seafarer training and manning, and greenhouse gas regulations. An interactive question-and-answer session allowed participants to explore issues arising from the discussions.

The second day focused on cruise ship operations within Bahamian waters, with contributions from the Port Department, ISPS Unit, Royal Bahamas Police Force and Department of Environmental Planning and Protection. Discussions addressed port and private-island operations, maritime security, shipboard matters involving law enforcement, and environmental considerations, including scrubbers, washdown activities and incinerators.

The seminar reinforced the importance of collaboration between the Flag Administration, national authorities, Recognised Organisations and cruise operators in addressing shared operational and regulatory challenges.

Through continued engagement with the cruise sector, the BMA remains focused on maintaining high standards of safety, security and environmental protection while ensuring that regulatory requirements are understood and effectively implemented in practice.