MCI Newsletter, January 2017
MCI’S OUTLOOK 2017
KIA ORANA!
2016 saw commendable growth and developments for Maritime Cook Islands (MCI) ship registry – our fleet tonnage grew, we launched the yacht newsletter, welcomed new appointments to MCI, and are pleased to say that we have award-winning yachts onboard with us – flying the Cook Islands flag proudly.
In 2017, we believe global shipping will continue to face a challenging environment but we believe we have reason to be optimistic for the coming year. In particular, we look forward to the next annual meeting of MCI’s international deputy registrars which will be held in June on Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We also aim to accept more ships onto the registry, improve our world ranking as a flag of quality – meeting the highest international standards, and to grow our yacht division even further.
We remain committed to servicing the global shipping community as well as the international community of yacht owners, and we will be talking about several new registry initiatives this year in this newsletter as the months progress.
Here’s to an amazing 2017!
THE COOK ISLANDS EXPRESSES GRATITUDE TO IMO
During a meeting with His Excellency Mr. Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of International Maritime Organization (IMO) in early October 2016, the Cook Islands expressed their gratitude to the organization for their continued assistance and support. In particular, the preparatory workshop for IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS), and the assistance provided to the Pacific region through IMO’s partnership with Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and Secretariat Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
The meeting was attended by His Excellency Capt. Ian Finley (Cook Islands Permanent Representative to IMO), His Excellency Mr. Ned Howard (Secretary of Ministry of Transport), Ms. Paula Manarangi (Legal Advisor of Maritime Cook Islands), and Mr. Kitack Lim (Secretary-General of IMO) himself.
Apart from expressing gratitude, His Excellency Mr. Ned Howard, Secretary of Ministry of Transport discussed on the potential of growing the presence of women in maritime and other sectors within the Cook Islands.
PARIS MOU AGREES ON ENHANCED INSPECTION CAMPAIGN FOR MLC
All vessels, regardless of trade or area, calling at Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MoU) ports, will be tested to ensure they meet the requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
Annually, more than 18,000 inspections take place on board foreign ships in the Paris MoU ports, ensuring that these ships meet international safety, security and environmental standards, and that crew members have adequate living and working conditions.
Paris MoU’s mission is to eliminate the operation of sub-standard ships through a harmonized system of port state control.
To help Masters explain the Cook Islands way of dealing with the MLC, click here for the Cook Islands Maritime (MLC) Rule 2014.
To help Masters with the PSC Inspector click here for the PMOU News Letter and a copy of the checklist.
For further information, please contact the Technical Department for assistance: df@maritimecookislands.com or william@maritimecookislands.com
INTERVIEW WITH MIKE SULLIVAN
In this short video, Mike Sullivan, one of the directors of MCI, shares with us how the Maritime Cook Islands registry came about. It was sheer chance that while he was doing some work in Cook Islands that he met the other founding directors who needed help to transform MCI from a national registry into an open registry.
It appealed to him; it seemed like a stimulating challenge then, and with his experience and legal expertise, it was too good an opportunity to turn away.
Furthermore, what stood out to Mike was the fact that the registry was exactly where it says it is from – the Cook Islands!
Fast forward 14 years, and it has expanded substantially since its launch, growing by about 700% in the last three to four years. The challenge now is to maintain the focus MCI has started with, and not to outgrow its own abilities.
Watch Mike Sullivan’s interview here!
MARC HANDOVER
On 20 July 2016, Capt. Ian Finley, Cook Islands Permanent Representative to IMO, together with IMO’s Secretary-General Kitack Lim, did a presentation for Maritime Attaches & Representatives Club (MARC)’s Outgoing President, Dr. Christos Atalianis from Cyprus.
POLES APART: INTERVIEW WITH JILLIAN CARSON
Jillian Carson had an opportunity to assist with the development of the polar guidelines, which were a precursor to the Polar Code which is adopted by the IMO and is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2017.
After a number of years of experience out at sea and in various shore positions in the maritime field, she now works as a Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Transport of Cook Islands; from freezing Arctic conditions to being based at the balmy Cook Islands. We caught up with Jillian to find out what she has been up to.
For the full interview, click here.
MCI AT POSIDONIA
Posidonia, one of the world’s biggest shipping exhibition, held in June 2016, saw a record number of 22,000 shipping industry professionals from over 95 countries.
Held at Athens Metropolitan Expo in Greece, Maritime Cook Islands (MCI) was represented by LiberoServices, a technical and management systems certification body.
Glenn Armstrong, CEO of MCI, as well as Deputy Registrar Efthimios Liberopoulos, were also present at the exhibition in Athens, Greece.
MCI CELEBRATES WORLD MARITIME DAY 2016
MCI, an international ship registry, joined the international maritime community in a celebration of World Maritime Day 2016 on September 29.
The theme for 2016 was “Shipping: Indispensable to the World”, focusing on the critical link between shipping and the global society.
Celebrations took place at Avatiu Harbour, Rarotonga, Cook Islands with activities predominantly involved in raising awareness of the industry to youths; successfully attracting over 300 students from six different schools around Rarotonga who participated in the event.
Focused on vessels and port operations, activities included a guided tour on-board the different types of vessels such as a traditional voyaging canoe, a domestic vessel as well as a small vessel.
Read more about it here.
LAUNCH OF NEW MCI TV
Here’s another way to keep in touch!
We are proud to launch our YouTube channel – aptly named – MCI TV!
We hope to reach out to a wider audience this way; raising our profile online as well as showcase the top-notch quality of people we work with.
We strongly believe that going digital is the right way forward for MCI. Should you have any feedback or comments on our efforts – please do share them with us. That is the only way we can improve.
Last but not least – subscribe to our channel to view the latest news!
NEW EUROPEAN MANAGER – PAOLO FAVILLI
To boost its presence in Europe, MCI has appointed Paolo Favilli as European Manager based in Genoa, Italy. Paolo is primarily responsible for ongoing business development in the region as well as improving Port State Control performance in the Paris MoU.
Paolo previously worked as the Project Director at International Maritime Safety, Security and Environment Academy, managing and coordinating activities related to IPSEA Project and supporting the maritime transport sector in Africa.
HEAD SHOTS FROM DR CONFERENCE
At the MCI Deputy Registrars Conference held in June 2016 at the Crown Beach Resort and Spa in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Deputy Registrars from all around the world looked back at MCI’s accomplishments and progress to-date.
We caught up with a couple of DRs – from Singapore, UK, Italy, Uruguay, United States of America (USA), South Africa and New Zealand.
Hear what some of them have to say when asked why the Cook Islands flag should be the chosen flag.
Click here to watch the interview.