/ December 14, 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the workshop was to strengthen the dialogue between the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) and the ship owners and operators to address some of the persistent issues in the maritime industry related to safe manning and safety and pollution prevention standards of domestic vessels.

Meeting Arrangements

Dates: 9-10 December 2021.

Location: Honiara, Honiara Hotel.

Arrangements: face-to-face workshop.

Objective

The objective of the SIMA workshop was to present regulatory standards of safe manning of domestic vessels, ship safety and equipment, and pollution prevention and response to engage a dialogue, identify challenges and propose solutions with ship owners and operators.

Outcomes

During the meeting, all participants recognised persistent issues that must be addressed through effective partnership and communication between SIMA, Owners, and Masters of domestic vessels.

They also recalled that the maritime industry in Solomon Islands is the lifeline between communities and called the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) to support this industry which is essential for the nation’s sustainable economic development.

As an outcome of the workshop, all participants agreed to:

1. have all domestic vessels inspected as required and ensure safety standards and most common deficiencies related to number of passengers, loading of vessels, and essential safety equipment and systems are addressed,
2. continue reform in vessels’ safe manning but strongly requested support to training of seafarer officers from Master and Engineer Class 3 and above,
3. strengthen communication between SIMA and ship owners and operators, and communicate to the travelling public on safety at sea and pollution prevention,
4. call SIG to resolve unfair competition in domestic shipping and provide support to the industry through a special tax regime,
5. call the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) and development partners to assist in building infrastructure to better manage passengers and cargo and make available reception facilities for vessel’s wastes, and
6. extend its services in other provinces and during weekends and public holidays.

Agenda

Presentations can be downloaded by clicking on the title of the presentation in the agenda. You can download the full report with details of discussion points. For more information please contact Ms. Nester Nalangu, Principal Officer Maritime Governance at nester.nalangu@sima.gov.sb.

Please click on this link if you would like to watch the IMO Video on preventing overcrowding of ships.

Time	Agenda Item		Presenters
Thursday 9 December 2021
0900 – 0930	Registration		SIMA
OPENING
Facilitated by Joseph Koavi, Senior Officer Marine Investigation
0930 – 0935	Introduction and Prayer		SIMA
0935 – 0945	Welcome remarks		SIMA Chair Mr. Robert Bokelema
0945 – 1000	Opening remarks		DS MID Mr. Jimmy Nuake
1000 – 1030	Group Photo & Morning Tea
SESSION 1 – SHIP SAFE MANNING
Facilitated by Joseph Koavi, Senior Officer Marine Investigation
1030 – 1045	1	Issues and challenges in the maritime industry	UTA Shipping Cie Mr. Selwyn Riumana Franjti Shipping Ms. Joy Ririmae
1045 – 1130	2	Ship safe manning & seafarer certification               Navigation areas               Minimum safe manning of ships               Applying for Safe Manning Certificate               Applying for dispensation               Seafarer Certificate of Competency               Recognition of foreign seafarers	SIMA Shipping Operations Team
1130 – 1145	3	Obligations & Offences	SIMA Legal Team
1145 – 1215	Discussion (Q&A)		All
1215 – 1330	Lunch

 

SESSION 2 – SHIP SAFETY
Facilitated by Joseph Koavi, Senior Officer Marine Investigation
1330 – 1345	4	Issues and challenges in the maritime industry	Fairtrade Shipping Mr. Kitchener Wheatley Nofokava Shipping Ms. Kathy Nori
1345 – 1415	5	Vessel Inspection & Surveys             Schedule of inspections               Deficiencies & detention	SIMA Vessel Inspection Team
1415 – 1500	Discussion (Group discussion)		All
1500 –1530	Afternoon Tea
1530 – 1630	Group Presentation		All
1630 – 1645	Responses & wrap-up from Director SIMA		SIMA Director
1645	Closing

 

Friday 10 December 2021
0900 – 0930	Registration		SIMA
SESSION 2 – SHIP SAFETY (cont’d)
Facilitated by Clifford Olisukulu, Principal Officer Safety of Navigation
0930 – 0950	6	Operation Safe Boat 2021               Ship Stability principles and criteria               Impact of ship overloading on stability               Operation Safe Boat 2021: activities & areas of control	SIMA Vessel Inspection Team
0950 – 1005	7	Project on Border Security and Maritime Safety               Project objectives               Vessel Tracking equipment	SIMA Environment Protection & Safety Team
1005 – 1020	Discussions (Q&A)		All
1020 – 1045	Morning Tea
SESSION 3 – POLLUTION FROM SHIPS
Facilitated by Clifford Olisukulu, Principal Officer Safety of Navigation
1045 – 1100	8	Issues and challenges in the maritime industry	Small Malaita Shipping Mr. Simon Wame
1100 – 1130	9	Pollution from Ships               Recent cases of marine pollution incidents               Implementation of the National Pollution Fund (POLFUND)               Reducing GHG emissions from ships	SIMA Environment Protection & Safety Team
1130 – 1200	Discussions (Q&A)		All
1200 –1330	Lunch
SESSION 4 – GENDER EQUALITY IN MARITIME
1330 – 1530	Meeting for Women in Maritime               Challenges and issues for Women in Maritime in Solomon Islands               Revival of the Solomon Islands Women in Maritime Association		Facilitated by Director SIMA
1530 – 1600	Afternoon Tea & Closing