The upcoming [Bahamas International Maritime Conference and Trade Show](http://www.bahamasinternationalmaritimeconference.com) (BIMCATS) will be one of the first official engagements for Commodore Davey Rolle, who was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) in December.
To be held under the theme, *’The Maritime Sector and the Environment*’, this year’s conference take places February 9-12 at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Organisers say environmental considerations will continue to impact tremendously on the development of marine technology and ship operations; hence the selection of the theme for the 2010 event. BIMCATS will be opened officially by the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, and The keynote address will be delivered by the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Efthimios Mitropoulos.
Other Bahamas Government participants will be Host Minister, the Hon. Earl Deveaux, Minister of the Environment, and Minister of State for the Environment Phenton Neymour. Dignitaries and Speakers also include: Commander Patrick McNeil, Port Controller for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas; Gary Gilbert, Chief Executive Officer of the Freeport Harbour Company/Freeport Container Port/Grand Bahama Airport Company; Raymond Jones, CEO, BORCO; Ian Fair, Chairman of the BMA; and Wendy Warren, CEO of the Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB).
Minister Deveaux says BIMCATS 2010 results from collaboration of the Ministry of The Environment and the Bahamas Maritime Authority with public and private sector partners. The aim is to:
• highlight how sustainable maritime policy development and technological advances offset environmental degradation;
• stimulate interest in the many world class maritime services offered in The Bahamas; and
• encourage leading shipping companies to consider
registering their vessels on the Bahamian Ship Register.
BIMCATS 2010 promises to be filled with opportunities for dialogue, debate and meaningful interaction among all who participate. It seeks to unite industry professionals from all sectors of the maritime industry to make them aware of the many opportunities available in The Bahamas.