IRI attends Offshore Advisory Group meeting

4 November 2019

Ten representatives from International Registries, Inc. (IRI)/The Marshall Islands Registry  attended the Offshore Advisory Group (OAG) meeting at the American Bureau of Shipping’s headquarters in Houston last week to discuss topical issues facing the offshore industry. Nearly 50 people attended the meeting representing key stakeholders in this unique industry.

Chaired by Mike Lawson, Vice President HSE&T of Valaris, the OAG is a forum for the offshore industry to provide information and feedback to the Marshall Islands Registry.  The Registry uses this information to provide better services and address topical issues at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This was the 8th annual meeting of the OAG. The OAG enables an interactive discussion of topics through these annual meetings and ad hoc working groups that are established throughout the year.  The October 2019 meeting covered regulatory updates with respect to the global Sulphur Cap 2020 and Ballast Water Management.

Guest speakers included Tom Kellock, Director, Offshore Rig Market Consulting, IHS Markit, who provided a market update; and Jim Rocco, Senior Director, Government & Industry Affairs – Offshore, International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), who gave an overview of items of interest that are being addressed by the IADC including regulatory items being discussed at the IMO and how cyber security may be addressed with respect to the offshore industry.