Bahrain's General Organisation of Sea Ports (GOP) chaired its first cross-stakeholder committee meeting in a major step towards the establishment of a new maritime code. Bahrain's current maritime law dates back to 1982.

Representatives from seven public and private sector entities met at the GOP headquarters in Hidd to kick-off the major initiative. GOP director general Hassan Ali Almajed chaired the first meeting of the Bahrain Maritime Code Committee.

Members of the committee, representing ministry of labour, industry and commerce, the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and University of Bahrain, APM Terminals, Bahrain Shipping Agents Association and the Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife were present at the meeting.

Almajed said the high-profile committee was established in order to review the new maritime law draft that has been prepared by the GOP.

'With multiple parties around the table, we are confident that the outcome will be a strong launchpad for Bahrain’s maritime regulatory framework to further support the development of the sector and strengthen its position as a contributing sector to the national economy in line with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030,' he added.
 
“This important national initiative is part of the GOP’s holistic strategy to enhance Bahrain’s maritime sector to enable increased investment and activity in the industry. By involving key partners from both the public and private sectors, the results of the review will be developed such that the interests and objectives of all stakeholders are jointly met,” Almajed observed.

The review of the code, Almajed said, was timely as Bahrain’s strategic importance as a regional transshipment hub was poised to grow from strength to strength thanks to the privatization of Bahrain’s port industry.

And with the December 6 opening of the new Khalifa Bin Salman Port, there will be continued evolution of global shipping and maritime regulations and higher volumes of activity, he added.-TradeArabia News Service