Maritime framework in focus as Jamaica develops its maritime services

(Posted on 12/03/25)

As Jamaica continues to develop its maritime sector, expanding its shipping services, growing its bunkering capability, and operating the country’s first floating drydock, the need for robust legal expertise and essential regulatory frameworks is paramount.

“We will have more Jamaican ships operating globally and more foreign ships in our waters. This means more maritime claims, and we must ensure our jurisdiction can competently handle these matters,” said Bertrand Smith, Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), during a well-attended maritime legal event in Kingston which underscored the importance of collaboration between legal professionals and the maritime industry.

The MAJ, in collaboration with the Maritime Law Committee of the Jamaican Bar Association, the Norman Manley Law School and Myers, Fletcher & Gordon Attorneys-at-Law, hosted the insightful lecture aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s maritime legal framework. The event provided a platform for legal and industry professionals to discuss the evolving maritime sector and its legal implications and is part of a range of MAJ initiatives aimed at ensuring Jamaica is well-equipped to handle the complexities of global shipping and maritime law.

Dr. Ann Fenech, a leading expert in maritime law, and President of the Comité Maritime International – the largest non-governmental maritime law organisation –delivered the keynote lecture and provided deeper insight into ship arrests and judicial sales. Her presentation, influenced by her experiences with the Trading Fabrizia case, highlighted the global legal challenges faced in the shipping industry.

The Trading Fabrizia, a general cargo vessel with a history tied to Jamaica’s maritime law, was arrested and detained by the MAJ in 2017 and later sold by the Jamaican Supreme Court in 2018. Although it sailed out of Kingston with a new name, owner, and flag, legal complications persisted, demonstrating the complexities involved in maritime jurisdiction and ownership disputes.

With growing interest in Jamaica’s potential as a maritime hub, the discussions from this event are set to influence future policies and legal advancements in the industry. The lecture series is expected to be a steppingstone towards solidifying Jamaica’s reputation as a leader in the maritime sector within the Caribbean and beyond.

The event saw attendance from a distinguished gathering of legal and maritime professionals, including MAJ Board Chair and President of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, Corah Ann Robertson Sylvester, Deputy Director General of MAJ Claudia Grant, members of the MAJ’s management team and other staff members. The Jamaican Bar Association’s Maritime Law Committee was also well represented, with committee members Monique Morrison, Chantal Bennett, and Jermaine Reid receiving special recognition for their contributions.