Solomon Islands Maritime Authority
The purpose of the workshop was to continue the dialogue established in previous workshops and meetings, aiming to strengthen communication between SIMA, ship owners/operators, and key stakeholders regarding matters affecting the maritime industry in Solomon Islands. The workshop’s objective was to provide a platform for ship operators to discuss their challenges and to determine a path towards sustainable shipping in Solomon Islands. The theme for this year was “Progressing National Strategies to support a Regional Framework for Sustainable Shipping in the Pacific.”
Dates: 24 April 2025
Location: Heritage Park Hotel, Honiara.
The workshop was officially opened by Ms. Agnes Gaote’e, SIMA’s Deputy Director and a keynote address was delivered by Mr. Thierry Nervale, Director of SIMA. They emphasized key outcomes from the previous year’s ship operators’ workshop and effective improvements in seafarer employment, maritime training, and safety management on board domestic vessels.
The session began with an opening presentation on the Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA) highlighting the current status and future steps for seafarer employment on domestic vessels, followed by a presentation on the status of seafarer qualifications and demand. Both presentations concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session involving participants.
The session commenced with an opening presentation on the review of Vessel Inspection & Survey guidelines and the Enhanced Safety Programme (ESP) on landing crafts. It was followed by a presentation on Safety Management Systems (SMS) onboard domestic vessels. This presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session.
Following this, a presentation was made on SIMA’s responsibilities concerning the prevention of and response to marine pollution, and Search and Rescue (SAR), calling for cooperation from ship operators. Another presentation outlined the vision and strategic actions for Solomon Islands’ plan for a sustainable maritime future.
The opening presentation was delivered the Solomon Islands Maritime Transport Association (SIMTA) highlighting issues and challenges within the maritime industry and calling all ship operators to become active members of SIMTA to effectively represent their interests and address these issues.
Subsequently, the newly established Solomon Islands Seafarer Association (SISA) presented on the issues and challenges faced by seafarers and the importance of seafarers being active members of SISA and fostering improved maritime collaboration among SIMA, SIMTA, and SISA. A discussion was engaged about the shortfalls from both parties and the need for ship operators, seafarers and SIMA to partner and resolve the issues raised.
Following this, a presentation was delivered on the Pacific One-Maritime Framework (POMF), detailing its purpose and value in contributing to a sustainable maritime future for the Pacific region. It was an opportunity to invite ship operators to engage in the consultations for the POMF and provide feedback.
The workshop concluded with closing remarks from a Principal Officer of SIMA, who acknowledged the successful outcomes achieved through the participation of all guests and attendees and the following outcomes:
The detailed report of the Fifth SIMA Workshop with Ship Operators can be found here. Any complementary information can be requested to Brenda Oeta, Principal Officer Vessel Inspection at brenda.oeta@sima.gov.sb. The presentations can be downloaded in the event programme below by clicking on the hyperlinks.
| Time | Agenda Item | Presenters | |
| Wednesday 24 April 2025 | |||
| 0830 – 0900 | Registration | SIMA | |
| OPENING/PRESENTATION | |||
| Facilitator – Rachel Bare Anita Manager, Environment Protection & Safety | |||
| 0900 – 0905 | Administrative Matters | Semaika Abiah, SIMA Administration Officer | |
| 0905 – 0910 | Welcome Remarks and Prayer | Agnes Gaote’e, SIMA Deputy Director | |
| 0910 – 0915 | keynote Address | Thierry Nervale, SIMA Director | |
| 0915 – 1000 | 1 | Sustainable Maritime Employment
Seafarer Employment Agreement: status & next steps Seafarer Qualification & demand: status & gaps Upgrade of the Maritime College: progress & next steps Discussion |
Virginia Sina, Technical Officer Shipping Operations
Leeane Kivolyn, Senior Officer Shipping Operations |
| 1000 – 1030 | Group Photo & Morning Tea | ||
| SESSION 1 – Shipping Operations and Safety | |||
| Facilitator – Brenda Oeta, Principal Officer, Vessel inspection | |||
| 1030 – 1115 | 2 | Raising Ship Safety Standards
Vessel Inspection & Survey Guidelines: review Enhanced Safety Programme for Landing Crafts: presentation Safety Management Systems Implementation: update Discussion |
Benedict Teahui, Technical Officer Vessel Inspection
George Tutu, Principal Officer Vessel Inspection |
| 1115 – 1200 | 3 | Preventing & Responding to Air & Marine Pollution
Solomon Islands Plan for a Sustainable Maritime Future Discussion |
Francis Pita, Technical Officer Sustainable Shipping
Allen Ofea, Principal Officer Pollution and Safety |
| 1200 –1300 | Lunch | ||
| SESSION 2 – Environment Protection & Safety | |||
| Facilitator – Joash Bella, Senior Legal Officer | |||
| 1300 – 1400 | 4 | Engaging in Maritime Collaboration
Solomon Islands Maritime Transport Association: update Solomon Islands Seafarers Association: update Main issues & way forward |
Joy Ririmae, SIMTA Secretary
Diana Hill, SISA Secretary |
| 1400 – 1530 | 5 | Aligning to the Pacific One-Maritime Framework (POMF)
Discussion & Feedback |
Thierry Nervale, Director SIMA
Caroline Keniasina, Technical Officer Strategic & Project Support |
| 1530 – 1545 | 6 | Outcomes, Wrap Up & Closing | Brenda Oeta, Principal Officer Vessel Inspection |
| 1545 – 1600 | Afternoon Tea | ||
SIMA – Solomon Islands Maritime Authority
PO Box 1932 – Solomon Islands
(677) 21535
contact@sima.gov.sb