The Marshall Islands Quality Council (MIQC) held its spring meeting in London in May 2025. The MIQC is a consultative group of shipowners, managers, industry experts, and leaders that gather biannually for open dialogue and discussion to enhance Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Registry operations. The May 2025 MIQC meeting included MIQC members, guest speakers, and RMI Registry personnel. Rear Admiral (RADM) Kevin S. Cook, United States Coast Guard (USCG) (Retired) chairs the MIQC.
RADM Cook opened the meeting, with presentations from International Registries, Inc.’s (IRI’s) President Bill Gallagher (Reston), Chief Commercial Officer Theo Xenakoudis (Piraeus), Senior Vice President, Fleet Operations Brian Poskaitis (Baltimore/Annapolis), and Senior Vice President, Maritime Administration/Regulatory Affairs Nick Makar (Reston) covering updates and news on the RMI Registry since the last MIQC meeting. Notably, both Bill Gallagher and Brian Poskaitis updated the members about the RMI’s 21st consecutive year on Qualship21, thanking attendees for their continued attention to maintaining quality operations. Brian also advised members that both Panama and Liberia are now classified and listed as medium risk flag administrations in the USCG’s 2024 Annual Report on Port State Control. Evan Curt, Vice President, Maritime Security (Reston) and Vice President, Maritime Brian Green (Ft. Lauderdale) joined with Lieutenant Commander Antonio Martorell Dominguez, Spanish Navy and Shipping Advisor and Maritime Operations Center Coordinator (European Naval Force ATALANTA/ Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean) and Jakob Passke Larsen, Chief Safety and Security Officer, BIMCO to present updates on maritime security. Guest speakers Kathleen Shannon, Partner, Blank Rome LLP and Sarah Holden, Shipping Research Manager, Clarksons Research presented on United States Trade Representative 301, proposed government actions impacting trade, and more.
The meeting concluded with a panel discussion on emissions compliance moderated by Nick Makar. Panelists included: Stergio Stamopoulos, Director of Global Sustainability, ABS; Timothy Wilson, Principal Specialist Fuels Lubes and Emissions; Luke Shu, Technical Advisory Manager – Maritime Commercial Markets both from Lloyd’s Register; Steve Esau, Chief Operating Officer (SEA-LNG); and Jesper Dalsgaard Rasmussen, Director of Sales & Marketing, Vessel Performance Solutions ApS.
With guest speakers and internal updates, MIQC meetings facilitate information sharing and open discussion between industry stakeholders and the RMI Registry’s senior leadership. These meetings strengthen working relationships across the industry, a critical component to informed decision making in today’s complex maritime environment.
