The Bahamas Transport Minister leads delegation to Posidonia 2026

The Hon. Leon Lundy, The Bahamas Minister of Transport, led a high-level delegation to Posidonia 2026 in Greece, just weeks after taking office, underscoring the Government's commitment to supporting The Bahamas Ship Registry and strengthening relationships with one of its most important maritime markets.

As one of the world's leading ship registries, The Bahamas maintains longstanding ties with the Greek shipping community, which controls approximately 21% of global shipping tonnage and remains the largest shipowning nation in the world. Through The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA), which has represented The Bahamas Flag in Greece for more than a decade through its office in Piraeus, The Bahamas continues to provide regulatory, technical, and client support services to a significant number of Greek-owned and managed vessels.

Posidonia, widely regarded as the world's premier shipping exhibition and conference, attracted more than 40,000 maritime professionals from across the globe and provided an important platform for engagement with shipowners, managers, industry partners, and policymakers.

The delegation was led by Minister Lundy and included Bahamas Maritime Authority Board Chairman Jacqueline M. Simmons, Deputy Chairman Peter John Goulandris, Managing Director & CEO, Captain Dwain Hutchinson, and senior members of the Authority's leadership team. The programme included The BMA's Posidonia gala reception, a ministerial meeting with Vasilis Kikilias, Greece's Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, discussions with the Union of Greek Shipowners, and meetings with owners and managers of Bahamian-registered vessels.

Speaking at The BMA reception, Minister Lundy addressed clients, partners, and members of the Greek shipping community, recognising Posidonia's role as a key gathering of global maritime leaders and acknowledging the vital contribution Greek shipping continues to make to international trade. He also reaffirmed The Bahamas' commitment to maintaining a strong and enduring partnership with Greek owners, operators, and maritime stakeholders.

Minister Lundy said: “For The Bahamas, the sea is central to our history, our economy and our future. Through The Bahamas Maritime Authority, we remain committed to high standards of safety, environmental protection, regulatory compliance and service to the global shipping community.”

During the ministerial meeting, Minister Lundy and Minister Kikilias discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation between Greece and The Bahamas, including the sharing of best practices relating to inter-island transport. Discussions also highlighted the importance of shipping, transport, and tourism to both economies, while reaffirming the value of continued collaboration between the two countries.

The ministers also exchanged views on key international maritime issues, including cooperation at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the need for practical and balanced regulatory frameworks, maritime decarbonisation, and the impact of ongoing hostilities in the Persian Gulf on freedom of navigation, seafarer welfare, and global trade.

The Bahamas delegation also met with the Union of Greek Shipowners, reinforcing the importance of continued engagement with one of the world's most influential maritime communities and recognising the central role Greek shipping plays in supporting global commerce.

The visit reflects The Bahamas' ongoing commitment to maintaining close relationships with its clients and stakeholders, supporting quality shipping, and ensuring that the Bahamas flag remains a trusted partner to the international maritime industry.