The Cayman Islands has implemented a new maritime governance framework to strengthen coordination across the government and support international maritime standards.
Premier and financial services minister André Ebanks highlighted the new structure in a statement marking World Maritime Day on 24 September.
The Cayman Islands Maritime Governance Framework is intended to provide clearer roles for ministerial oversight, policy coordination and operational delivery across the maritime sector.
The framework is led by the National Maritime Council, supported by the National Maritime Steering Committee and five operational subgroups.
The National Maritime Affairs Secretariat serves as the central coordination point for compliance with the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Instruments Implementation Code, audit readiness, maritime advice and communication between agencies.
Ebanks said the framework is an important step towards establishing a “clear, coordinated and forward-looking” approach to the sector.
The government’s wider ambition is to achieve and maintain compliance with the IMO’s Instruments Implementation Code, position Cayman among the world’s leading maritime administrations and maximise opportunities in the blue economy.
The new governance structure will also support the five strategic pillars set out in the National Maritime Strategy 2025–2030.
“This is how we move from policy to practice, by strengthening collaboration across government and industry, investing in our people and infrastructure, and ensuring that our maritime framework continues to meet the demands of a changing global landscape,” Ebanks said.
World Maritime Day 2026 is being observed under the theme ‘From policy to practice: Powering maritime excellence’.
Ebanks said Cayman must continue to maintain high standards of maritime safety, environmental protection and regulatory compliance while supporting innovation, investment and sustainable growth in the sector.
“Our country has always been connected to the sea,” he said, pointing to the maritime sector’s role in moving food, fuel and other essential goods, supporting international trade and tourism, and providing employment and business opportunities.
He also recognised maritime workers, including those aboard vessels and working in ports, as well as regulators, enforcement officers, emergency responders and other professionals.
“The strength of our maritime sector depends on our ability to work together, share expertise and turn our commitments into measurable results,” Ebanks said.
