Jersey is hosting the annual Red Ensign Group (REG) conference this week. From sustainability to greener shipping and innovation, future maritime strategies will be under the spotlight at this year’s event.
The conference, which oversees and upholds maritime safety standards across the thirteen British Shipping Registers, is meeting to discuss best practice and to look at ways of improving the performance of the Registers internationally.
The event brings together those who are directly involved with maritime and coastal state responsibilities in the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies who make up the Red Ensign Group.
Around 80 delegates from all sixteen REG maritime administrations are attending and they will be discussing a range of standards and processes prominent within the maritime sector.
The event opens with a ceremony led by Jersey’s Harbour Master, Captain Bill Sadler: “Jersey is proud to be hosting this year’s REG conference and I am pleased to welcome all the delegates to our Island. It’s important that we continue to work together to enhance the quality and reputation of the British fleet.”
Jersey’s Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, will be delivering the keynote address.
He said: “It’s an honour for Jersey to host such a prestigious event. I hope it will raise the Island’s international profile and reputation as a jurisdiction that is actively working to ensure safety at sea. I would like to welcome the delegates from across the world, and hope they enjoy their time working together at this year’s conference.”
Red Ensign Group members will be discussing maritime matters of interest at this week’s conference, which will also include sessions on the roles and responsibilities of Coastal States. It will also tackle issues such as decarbonisation, counter pollution and environmental concerns.
The 35th Red Ensign Group Conference will run from 18–20 June 2024.
BACKGROUND
The REG conference began in 1988 as an opportunity for the registrars of the REG to get together to share ideas, harmonise processes and discuss ways forward. Since then it has expanded to cover seafarer welfare and regulatory matters as well as coastal preparedness including search and rescue and pollution response.
Every year it is held at different locations, reflecting the geography of the Red Ensign Group. REG consists of the UK, the Crown Dependencies of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man and Overseas Territories of Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, St Helena, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. There will also be delegates in attendance from the non-ship registry Overseas Territories of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Ascension and Tristan Da Cunha.
Any vessel registered in the UK, a Crown Dependency or UK Overseas Territory, is a British ship and is entitled to fly the Red Ensign flag. The Jersey Shipping Register was established in the 19th century and has more than 2,000 vessels on its register. Jersey can register commercial ships and pleasure vessels up to 399 gross tons (GT)