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The Micronesian Shipping Commission Annual Meeting in RMI, Majuro

Majuro, Marshall Islands (FSM Information Services): August 25, 2011 - The Micronesian Shipping Commission concluded its annual meeting in Majuro on Friday, August 19, 2011, after a week-long consultation amongst the three participating governments of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau, and one-on-one discussions with the carriers providing shipping service to and from the Micronesian sub-region, and other stake holders in the shipping industry including the Association of Terminal Operators and Stevedoring Companies of Micronesia (ATOSCOM).

The 2011 annual meeting was formally opened by the Honorable Ruben Zackhras, Minister in assistance to the President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on behalf of His Excellency, President Jurelang Zedekia, in a formal ceremony held at the International Conference Center on Tuesday August 16, 2011. In his keynote address, Minister Zackhras highlighted the importance of shipping service as a lifeline in an area of vast distances and small economies and the benefits of sub-regional cooperation and collaboration by island countries on matters affecting international commercial shipping service.

The Honorable Kenneth Kedi, Minister of Transportation and Communications of the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and outgoing Chairman of the MSC delivered special remarks in the opening ceremony in which he welcomed members of the MSC, namely FSM Commissioner Secretary Francis Itimai and ROP Commissioner Minister Jackson Ngiraingas, and ATOSCOM as well as members of a delegation from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and the Central Pacific Shipping Commission headed by the Deputy Prime Minister of Tuvalu, the Honorable Kausea Natano, on island to observe the proceedings of the MSC.

Minister Kedi emphasized the important role of the MSC in ensuring that the shipping service provided by carriers to and from the Micronesian sub-region are safe, economical and efficient and that carriers are afforded fair and equitable opportunities in the provision of shipping service. He added, however, that carriers must also comply with the conditions of their entry assurances to achieve true partnership in the delivery of such shipping services.

Issues discussed during the annual meeting ranged from the MSC's review of the annual reports of the carriers, issues of compliance with and improvements to the Entry Assurance system, and the recent establishment of the Central Pacific Shipping Commission. At the close of its meeting, the MSC and the CPSC executed a Memorandum of Understanding effectuating a mutually agreeable relationship between the two Commissions for the purpose of sharing information relevant to governmental regulation of commercial shipping in the Western and Central Pacific.

The MSC thanks the government and people of the Marshall Islands for graciously hosting this year's annual meeting, and especially its outgoing Chairman Minister Kedi for his invaluable leadership throughout his tenure as Chairman, during which time the MSC has made significant progress toward expanding and improving upon its operations and making good on its promise to ensure a safe, economical, and efficient shipping services system in the Micronesian sub-region.

For more information, MSC Executive Director Moses Nelson can be contacted by phone at 692-320-6821, or by email at msc@mail.fm.