/ 08/21/2024

Maritime Labour Mobility and Shipping Registry National Roadmap

21 August 2024

 

Build a maritime labour force

Build a maritime nation

Purpose

The purpose of the event was to officially launch the Maritime Labour Mobility and Shipping Registry National Roadmap as a new policy under the Government of National Unity and Transformation’s (GNUT’s) first 100-day plan.

The event was officiated by the Honourable Prime Minister, Mr Jeremiah Manele, and was attended by 9 Ministers from the GNUT’s cabinet, other high-level representatives from development partners, government ministries, and maritime stakeholders.

The event themed “Build a Maritime Labour Force, Build a Maritime Nation” was centered at launching the National Roadmap. The primary objective was to outline the undertaking to provide the Solomon Islands with an internationally recognised maritime workforce and an attractive and competitive international shipping registry.

Meeting Arrangements

Date: Wednesday 21^st August 2024

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Venue: Mendana Hotel, Honiara

Opening & Launching

Opening

The event commenced with an opening prayer by Bishop George Takeli, a member of the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority’s (SIMA) Advisory Committee and Vice-President of the Solomon Islands Maritime Transport Association (SIMTA).

This was followed by a welcome address delivered to the guests by the Minister of Infrastructure Development, Honourable Manasseh Maelanga. As the Minister responsible for maritime and shipping, Hon. Maelanga recalled the significant milestone achieved by SIMA over the past four years driven by a resolute commitment to enhancing the safety and environmental sustainability of sea transport across the Solomon Islands. He emphasized the unwavering efforts dedicated to enhancing a maritime future that is not only innovative but also collaborative, working together with all stakeholders to shape a robust and forward-thinking maritime sector.

The welcome was an opportunity to introduce this landmark national policy that builds upon the most recent advancements and trends in the maritime industry. Hon. Maelanga called for continued collaboration among key ministries, development partners, the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), maritime industry, and international maritime operators in the Solomon Islands and to view this new policy as a significant step forward in the development of the country’s maritime sector.

Presentation

After the opening, the Mistress of Ceremony (MC), Nester Nalangu-Dara Principal Officer Maritime Governance, introduced SIMA’s Deputy Director, Agnes Gaote’e who presented on the theme “Build a Maritime Labour Force, Build a Maritime Nation” which outlined the national roadmap and the strategic commitments to developing an internationally recognized maritime workforce and establishing an attractive and competitive international shipping registry for the Solomon Islands.

Launching of the National Roadmap

At this event, the Honourable Jeremiah Manele, Prime Minister and Guest of Honour, delivered his remarks to launch the Maritime Labour Mobility and Shipping Registry National Roadmap.

He first expressed sincere appreciation for the presence of Ministers from the GNUT’s cabinet, representatives from various ministries, development partners and Maritime stakeholders to witness the launching of the national roadmap and celebrate the maritime sector in the Solomon Islands.

He continued recognizing shipping, maritime connectivity and inter-islands mobility as the lifeline of Solomon Islands.  He highlighted that his government is already committed to a safe, secure, green and clean Solomon Maritime, active at the international and regional levels to advocate for a just and equitable transition of maritime transport contributing to maintaining our net-zero emission status and making voyages by sea safe and secure.

The Hon. Prime Minister continued to emphasize that with the need for shipping services expected to grow, as a maritime and a fishing nation with a large ocean area making the sustainable use of our ocean an necessary. These are the key factor that leads the GNUT to explore opportunities offered by the maritime sector to create more jobs for our youth and attract more maritime investors.  He recalled that the roadmap that he is launching is a new national policy of the GNUT 100-day plan with two transformative initiatives enshrined in the event theme: “Build a Maritime Labour Force, Build a Maritime Nation”.

Before the launch, he acknowledged the support currently provided by partners who have been playing a game-changing role since the establishment of SIMA, specifically recognizing Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the International Maritime Organization and its donors, SPC and SPREP. The Prime Minister concluded with an invitation to consider coordinated transformative maritime development projects and investments guided by previous commitments to an equitable transition of the maritime sector and this new policy.

Commissioning & Blessing of the National Roadmap

Bishop George Takeli recalled the significance of this important milestone in the maritime sector and invited all guests to stand as he blessed the national roadmap booklet.

This was followed by the official handing over of the first copy of this booklet by the Chair of the SIMA Board, Mr Robert Bokelema to the Guest of Honor, Prime Minister, Honourable Jeremiah Manele in the presence of the Minister of Finance and Treasury, Honourable Manasseh Sogavare and Minister of Infrastructure Development, Honourable Manasseh Maelanga.

Statement from Partners and Guests

The MC introduced this segment by acknowledging that the success of the National Roadmap hinges on the invaluable assistance and support from partners and guests.

The MC then, invited four distinguished speakers to share their reflections, beginning with the Ambassador to Japan, His Excellency Yoshiaki Miwa. He was followed by the Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Andrew Schloeffel, the Vice-Chancellor to SINU, Dr. Transform Aqorau and the New Zealand High Commissioner, Honourable Jonathan Schwass.

Each speaker emphasised the significance of the National Roadmap and its expected impact on the maritime sector and the national economy. They also reaffirmed their commitment to advancing this new policy and working together to make this vision a reality.

Vote of Thanks

Mr. Robert Bokelema, Chairperson of the Board of SIMA, invited all participants for a vote of thanks. He seized the opportunity of this invitation to thank the Prime Minister for honoring the event with his presence and launching the National Roadmap, a new policy direction, plans and projects to make the maritime sector truly international and offer new employment opportunities to the youth of this country. He continued by thanking all Ministers from the GNUT’s cabinet, representatives from various ministries, development partners and Maritime stakeholders, concluding the event by inviting all to join efforts to develop a maritime labour mobility and shipping registry.

Agenda

Time	Agenda Item	Presenters
Wednesday 21 August 2024
1000 – 1030	Arrival of guests	SIMA
Launching of the Maritime Labour Mobility and Shipping Registry National Roadmap
Facilitated by Ms. Nester Nalangu
1030	Arrival of the Hon. Jeremiah Manale, Prime Minister, Guest of Honour Welcome and Garlanding	SIMA
1030 – 1035	Opening Prayer	Bp. George Takeli
1035 – 1040	Welcome Remarks	Minister of Infrastructure Development Honourable Manasseh Maelanga
1040 – 1100	Presentation Build a maritime labour force, build a maritime nation	SIMA
1100 – 1120	Launch of the Maritime Labour Mobility and Shipping Registry National Roadmap A Solomon Islands Government’s policy to promote sustainable employment and an attractive shipping registry	Guest of Honour Hon. Jeremiah Manele, Prime Minister
1120 – 1125	Prayer for the Maritime Labour Mobility and Shipping Registry National Roadmap	Bp. George Takeli
1125 – 1150	Statements from partners and guests	All
1150 – 1200	Vote of Thanks	Chair of SIMA Board Mr. Robert Bokelema
1200 – 1230	Official Photograph & Press Conference
1230 – 1330	Lunch