A delegation of senior government officials from the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) traveled to Rio de Janeiro earlier this month for face-to-face meetings with existing and potential clients in Brazil.

Pictured: (left to right) Peter John Goulandris, deputy chairman, Bahamas Maritime Authority; Vice Admiral Raul P Bittencourt, deputy executive secretary Coordinating Committee for IMO Matters, Brazilian Navy Directorate of Ports and Coasts; and Anthony Kikivarakis, chairman, Bahamas Maritime Authority.

The visit was designed to consolidate existing relationships and to seek new business opportunities in the fastest growing oil and gas offshore market in the world.

BMA’s chairman, Anthony Kikivarakis, says: “The Bahamas prides itself on service and sees the shipping industry and related services as the third pillar of its economy.”

BMA’s delegation was led by Anthony Kikivarakis, board chairman and included: Peter John Goulandris, deputy chairman; Commodore Davy Rolle, managing director; and deputy directors, Captain Dwain Hutchinson, Seafarers & Manning, Stephen Keenan, Inspections & Surveys and Christine Scavella, Registrar NY.

Initially, the BMA held talks with the Maritime Authority of Brazil and with Vice Admiral Raul Bittencourt, deputy executive secretary, Brazilian Navy Directorate of Ports and Coasts, after which the delegation visited the Brasa Shipyard in Niteroi, where they saw fabrication of topside modules for a Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit.

Additionally, the BMA held meetings with the following agencies:

Petrobras – the Brazilian integrated oil and gas company which is the world’s 7th largest and with operations in 25 countries.

Companhia Vale do Rio Doce – a Brazilian multi-national diversified metals and mining corporation, one of the largest logistics operators in Brazil, the second largest mining company in the world and an operator of large bulk carriers.

V Ships Brazil – a leading supplier of independent ship management and related marine services to the global shipping industry.

MODEC Services de Petoleo do Brazil – a general contractor specializing in engineering, procurement, construction and installation of floating production systems.

SBM (Single Buoy Mooring) Offshore – Rio Office – a leader in floating production and mooring systems, in production operations and in terminals and services.

Stena Bulk – a world leading tanker shipping company.

Odebrecht Oil and Gas Services – OOG provides integrated, customized solutions for the upstream oil industry in Brazil and around the world.

Teekay – the world’s leading midstream marine services company and a vital link in the global energy supply chain.

Seadrill – a leading offshore deep water drilling company.

The BMA’s objective was not only to increase its tonnage, but also, as part of the global shipping industry, to promote safety, security and the protection of the environment.

The authority is currently ranked fifth among flag states, with more than 1,600 ships on the Register and a gross tonnage of 57 million.

The face-to-face exercises with clients and potential clients as well as the on-hand technical expertise were well received by the delegation’s Brazilian hosts.

The BMA is planning to revisit Brazil later this year in order to maintain this positive momentum and relationships developed during its April initiative.

Pictured: (left to right) Petrobras Transporte S.A. Transpetro–Julio Cezar da Costa Muniz, Maritime Transportation executive manager; Agenor Cesar Junqueria Leite, shipping director; Sergio Machado, president. Bahamas Maritime Authority–Anthony Kikivarakis, dhairman; Peter John Goulandris, deputy chairman; and Commodore Davy Rolle, managing director & CEO.