Regional focus on maritime safety and environmental protection
Suriname is this week hosting the 16th Port State Control (PSC) Seminar, organized under the banner of the Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (CMOU), in cooperation with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Maritime Authority Suriname (MAS). From June 2 through June 5, representatives from 18 Caribbean countries will meet in Paramaribo to share knowledge and train inspectors on maritime safety and environmental standards.
The seminar focuses on how to effectively conduct port state inspections according to international conventions such as MARPOL, SOLAS and STCW. Participants will be trained in applying risk-based inspections, checking environmental regulations aboard ships, and recording violations according to international standards.
Suriname recently adopted a risk-based inspection methodology, prioritizing vessels with an elevated risk profile or a history of deficiencies. This approach is supported by training and certification of Surinamese inspectors, in collaboration with international partners such as the Caribbean Maritime University and IMO regional institutions.In addition to technical training, the seminar is also dedicated to regional cooperation. Countries exchange best practices, discuss current challenges such as illegal discharges and plastic pollution, and strengthen communication among themselves.
This cooperation ties in with broader initiatives within the region, including the DIHMAR conferences and environmental consultations under the Escazú Agreement.IMO and CMOU have expressed appreciation for the active role Suriname is playing within the Port State Control network. The establishment of a regional training center in Suriname for maritime inspectors is also being considered, as a structural step toward sustainable capacity building. The seminar will conclude on Wednesday, June 5, with a review and look ahead, with participants expressing their views on concrete next steps in regional enforcement and environmental protection
