Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
November 08, 2007 (CUOPM)
St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry was recently represented at the NEVA Maritime & Shipping Exhibition in St. Petersburg, Russia.
“The shipping market in the Russian & ex-USSR states regions is huge and of significant potential for both the Ship Registry and Financial Services departments’ said International Registrar of Shipping & Seamen, Mr. Nigel Smith, who attended the event.
He said that the growth of the Russian economy since “˜perestroika’ and the number of new shipowners emerging means St. Kitts and Nevis has to exhibit at such events to get a foothold in and grow in the market. St. Kitts Financial Services exhibited at an event for their sector in Moscow in 2006.“Whenever we exhibit we promote the whole range of services offered from St. Kitts & Nevis, by displaying brochures and information supplied by the Financial Services Departments and tourism information given to us by the office of the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom,” said Smith, who during the exhibition, met existing Russian clients who have placed ships with the International Ship Registry and was also able to discuss with other shipowners the benefits of St. Kitts & Nevis as an International Open Register.
“Our shipping legislation is based on British & IMO Models, so it is looked upon favourably by banks that specialise in ship finance as our mortgage legislation is sound. We also have the facility to allow the demise (bareboat) charter of ships both into and out of our Ship Register, which is very attractive to Russian owners, especially those with ships trading on the internal river network of Russia and those on the Caspian Sea working in oil & gas exploration,” said Smith, who disclosed that the Maritime Registrar for the Ship Registry in Moscow, Ms. Tatiana Matsvievkaya, did excellent work before the exhibition in arranging a schedule of meetings for Mr Smith to maximise the exposure for St. Kitts & Nevis.
During the exhibition enquires were received from visitors about setting up companies in the Federation and also about establishing a tourism venture, which Mr. Smith has passed to the respective Ministries.
Mr. Smith was also able to meet with senior management of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RMRS) who have been designated as a Recognised Organisation by the Government for statutory surveys & certification.
“It is important that we meet such an organisation regularly because of the work they are doing on behalf of the Government. In this way we can exchange views on matters of mutual interest and they see the strength and professionalism of the way the Ship Registry is being operated,” he added.
Mr. Smith also had meetings with the Polish Register of Shipping (PRS) another major Classification Society to conclude an agreement for the carrying out of statutory surveys & certification and appointment of PRS as a Recognised Organisation, which has subsequently been signed by the Director of Maritime Affairs, Mr. McClean Hobson.
The next planned exhibition for the International ship Registry will be the biennial POSIDONIA exhibition being held in Greece in June 2008.