The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Registry held the 12th annual Offshore Advisory Group (OAG) meeting in November 2023 at DNV’s offices in Katy, Texas. The OAG, chaired by Tom Payne, Director of Maritime Operations, Diamond Offshore, facilitates interactive discussion of critical industry topics through annual meetings and ad hoc working groups, bringing together representatives from the offshore industry and the RMI Registry to share information, collaborate, and work together.
Cosmin Bozenovici, Vice President, Technical — Offshore (Houston) and Rear Admiral Kevin Cook, United States Coast Guard (Retired) and Marshall Islands Quality Council Chair welcomed stakeholders as well as guest speakers.
Incorporating comments from other OAG members, Cosmin commented that, “OAG members include many current and future leaders of marine operations offshore, subject matter experts, and the senior most leadership in the RMI Registry, giving the OAG the unique position as a bridge between the men and women on the 491 RMI registered vessels engaged in the offshore industry and the flag State.”
Following remarks from Tom Payne, IRI President Bill Gallagher (Reston) together with Chief Commercial Officer Theo Xenakoudis (Piraeus) provided an RMI Registry update. Chief Maritime Officer Simon Bonnett (London) provided an update of the Maritime Services Group updating on ongoing information technology enhancements. Guest speakers Tom Kellock, Industry Consultant; Jim Rocco, Senior Director – Government & Industry Affairs, International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC); and Peter Griffiths, Senior Manager – Global Marine Operations, Transocean presented on market trends, decarbonization, renewables, and updates from the offshore industry.
Other IRI speakers included Brian Poskaitis, Senior Vice President, Fleet Operations (Baltimore/Annapolis); Liz Bouchard, Senior Vice President, Regulatory Administration (Reston); Captain Luiz Freitas, Regional Director, South America (Rio de Janeiro); Roberto Herrera, Senior Flag State Specialist (Houston); James Maupin, Fleet Operations Manager (Houston), and Cosmin Bozenovici, who presented on the current state of global markets, fleet operations, renewables, and regulatory matters.
The 2023 annual meeting largely focused on the insight into and sustainable future of the offshore industry and achievements in creating a sustainable industry fit for present and future challenges.
