Air and Maritime Transportation
The geographic dispersion of the countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) requires the adoption of a robust approach for reliable and efficient transportation. The importance of transportation to regional integration, particularly the movement of people and goods, is outlined in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas which provides for, inter alia, the establishment of a regional transport policy to provide adequate, safe and internationally competitive transport services for the development and consolidation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), intra-Community transport services; aircraft accident and incident investigation; search and rescue; development of maritime and air transport services.
Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley signing the Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA) at the 18th Special Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Govt of CARICOM on the CARICOM Single Market & Economy (CSME), December 2018
The Galleon’s Passage
One of the landmark developments in the transportation sector is the Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA), which entered into force in 2020. The MASA, which is in force in 12 Member States, seeks to:
• establish a single market for air transport services within the Community in furtherance of the undertaking of Member States under paragraph 1 of Article 33 and paragraph 1 of Article 37 of the Revised Treaty to remove barriers to the right of establishment of Community nationals and the right of Community nationals to provide services within the Community; and
• establish a single market for air transport services within the Community in furtherance of the undertaking of Member States under paragraph 1 of Article 33 and paragraph 1 of Article 37 of the Revised Treaty to remove barriers to the right of establishment of Community nationals and the right of Community nationals to provide services within the Community; and
• establish measures to:
(i) promote the adoption of uniform standards and recommended practices for the provision of air transport services within the Community;
(ii) ensure uniformity in licensing and certification of aviation personnel within the Community; and
(iii) ensure that the provision of international air transport services in the Community is undertaken by financially viable and technically qualified air carriers.
The role of transportation in regional integration assumes even greater importance as the Region advances its goal of increased intra-regional trade, particularly of agricultural produce in fulfilment of the 25 X 2025+5 Initiative. To this end, steps are being taken to operationalise a dedicated regional ferry service. The service among Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Barbados through the acquisition of a vessel provided by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the establishment of a company, Cari-Cargo, will facilitate the easier movement of goods. Work is ongoing to from regulatory and administrative perspectives.
At their 48th Regular Meeting, the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM established a ministerial technical working group to advance arrangements to improve maritime transportation in the Region. In preparation for convening the working group, the CARICOM Secretariat began fact-finding discussions with relevant stakeholders in the insurance sector regarding products with coverage for commercial and private vehicles across multiple countries. Discussions centred on the possible development of policies and systems to enable effective and efficient movement of motor vehicles through Member States via ferry services.
(i) promote the adoption of uniform standards and recommended practices for the provision of air transport services within the Community;
(ii) ensure uniformity in licensing and certification of aviation personnel within the Community; and
(iii) ensure that the provision of international air transport services in the Community is undertaken by financially viable and technically qualified air carriers.
The role of transportation in regional integration assumes even greater importance as the Region advances its goal of increased intra-regional trade, particularly of agricultural produce in fulfilment of the 25 X 2025+5 Initiative. To this end, steps are being taken to operationalise a dedicated regional ferry service. The service among Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Barbados through the acquisition of a vessel provided by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the establishment of a company, Cari-Cargo, will facilitate the easier movement of goods. Work is ongoing to from regulatory and administrative perspectives.
At their 48th Regular Meeting, the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM established a ministerial technical working group to advance arrangements to improve maritime transportation in the Region. In preparation for convening the working group, the CARICOM Secretariat began fact-finding discussions with relevant stakeholders in the insurance sector regarding products with coverage for commercial and private vehicles across multiple countries. Discussions centred on the possible development of policies and systems to enable effective and efficient movement of motor vehicles through Member States via ferry services.
Caribbean Airlines
