The Bahrain General Organisation of Sea Ports (GOP) is hosting a five-day regional training course designed to promote consistent and effective implementation of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) instruments.

The training was held under the patronage of the GOP chairman, Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa as part of the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme (Vimsas).

The training course, being attended by participants from the six GCC states and neighbouring countries including Egypt, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon Yemen, Sudan, Jordan and Libya, will run up till October 28, said a GOP statement.

Organised in conjunction with the IMO, the course aims to educate and provide the tools necessary to carry out audit tasks in maritime administration based on the documentations provided by the IMO, it added.

During the training the participants will gain insight and knowledge of the principles of auditing flag, port and coastal functions which will help to align audit activities within each country’s state maritime administration.

Additionally, the course highlights the significance of internal and external auditors taking responsibility for assessing the effectiveness of implementing IMO instruments in their respective countries.

Training courses such as this fall in line with the GOP’s continuous efforts and steady commitment to meet international obligations as outlined by the IMO, said a top official.

Hassan Ali Al Majed, director general of GOP, said, “GOP is fully committed to co-operating and supporting all initiatives and recommendations made by the IMO.

'Conducting such training courses as per the IMO State Audit Scheme for the delegates helps GOP to provide detailed knowledge about the requirements and a clear understanding of how these requirements can be implemented.'

'The course is open to all personnel involved in the audit process from maritime administrations tasked to prepare for the implementation of Vimsas by conducting internal audits, explained Al Majed.

'One of our guiding principles is the drive to establish a benchmark for excellence in the maritime industry and position Bahrain as a leading player in the maritime industry, and courses such as the Vimsas training module further that objective.'

'The Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by the GOP, is working hard to prepare itself for the Vimsas,” he added.

Bahrain is an active member of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), and the GOP is dedicated to fully and effectively implementing IMO systems and standards to help further develop the global maritime industry.-TradeArabia News Service