Prosperity of maritime transport is connected with name of Heydar Aliyev
The ultimate goal of Heydar Aliyev’s endeavours was to draw the world’s attention to the geostrategic location of Azerbaijan which lies at the crossroads of East-West and North-South transport corridors. Strategic initiative of the great leader to develop the transit potential of the country is successfully pursued by President Ilham Aliyev.
As far as maritime transport concerned, it is inseparable from transport network of Azerbaijan. In recent years, the development and implementation of legislation on maritime safety, prevention of pollution from ships and maritime security have been of paramount importance in our country. As an executive power contributing to the overall efficiency of maritime transport, State Maritime Administration was established in accordance with the Presidential decree №1271 dated 6 February 2006 and as a central executive power implementing the State policy in the maritime field, State Maritime Administration was granted the authority to enforce and ensure compliance with international maritime conventions, and collaborate with International Maritime Organization and other international organizations functioning in the maritime field.
The Republic of Azerbaijan became a member of the International Maritime Organization in 1995. Since then Azerbaijan has acceded to key conventions such as International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers ( STCW), Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG), Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) and more than 20 other maritime conventions and protocols. Within the granted authority, State Maritime Administration enforces the compliance with the requirements of the international conventions and protocols. The evidence of the compliance with international conventions can be clearly seen in the case of the recognition of Azerbaijan pursuant to Directive 2008/106/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the systems for the training and certification of seafarers as well as at the 96th session of the Maritime Safety Committee of IMO pursuant to the report of Secretary-General it was confirmed that Azerbaijan gives full and complete effect to the provisions of regulation I/8 of the STCW Convention.
Equipped with the high-tech navigation and tracking system, National Long-range identification and tracking (LRIT) Data Centre was established in pursuance of implementing the requirements of International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The functions of the LRIT Centre includes but not limited to satellite and radar based tracking system of the ships navigating in the territorial waters of Azerbaijan, maintaining the safety of navigation, broadcasting updates on weather conditions and navigational warnings, receiving distress signals (SOS) and other information from ships and transmit them to the relevant authority accordingly. In addition, pursuant to the request of Georgian Government, National LRIT Center provides effective LRIT services to the ships flying the flag of Georgia.
State Maritime Administration attaches great importance to cooperation with International Maritime Organization and regional as well as international collaborations with other maritime organizations. Administration pays special attention to studying and applying best practices of other maritime nations. Our country collaborates not only with IMO but also with the International Labour Organization, European Maritime Safety Agency, The Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), and other regional and international organizations.
The employees of the State Maritime Administration acquire and upgrade their professional skills through the centers of excellence for the maritime education such as the International Maritime Law Institute and World Maritime University which are founded by the International Maritime Organization.
Legislation on the maritime transport meets all the international law standards
The efforts made towards the improvement of the legislation on the maritime transport should also be brought to the fore. It should be mentioned that within the framework of European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument, State Maritime Administration completed two-year Twinning project on Improvement of Maritime Safety, Security and Marine Environment Protection.
Within the above mentioned twinning project The “Law on Seaports” was prepared in accordance with the IMO conventions and EU acquis and was approved by the Presidential Decree No. 161 dated on 14 May 2014. Achieving impressive results in the first Twinning project, have led to launching the second Twinning project on “Support to the Maritime Administration to Improve Liability in Maritime Transport in the Republic of Azerbaijan” with the aim of increasing the capacity of the State Maritime Administration in the implementation and application of liability procedures foreseen in the International Conventions concerning maritime safety and prevention of sea pollution in Azerbaijan in conjunction with the legislation of European Union.
Our future plans include developing an enhanced relationship with international organizations as well as with marine industries in order to build strong capacity for improving maritime safety, maritime security and marine environment protection. Our blueprint for developing safe and secure maritime transport will deliver the best opportunity to optimize the relationship between industry and Government, to improve a road map focused on delivering long-term skills which will be required by industry and to identify priorities for the commercial shipping supply chain and growth of transit potential of our country.