KINGSTON, Jamaica — Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Peter Brady, has been appointed as Jamaica’s Special Envoy to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

According to the Transport Ministry this afternoon, with his appointment, which was approved by Cabinet, he will lobby for Jamaica’s candidature to Category C of the council of the organisation.

Rear Admiral Brady is to spearhead Jamaica’s strategy for election to the Council among 171 countries.

He has a wide range of experience in the maritime industry, having served for 10 years on the IMO sub-committee that sets global standards for qualification of masters, officers and other crew on seagoing merchant vessels.

Jamaica’s candidature is being given top priority by the Andrew Holness-led Administration, as membership in Category C of the IMO Council will enhance the country’s and region’s capacity to contribute to major policy deliberations, rule-making, development of standards, as well as to implement port, coastal, and flag state obligations, the ministry release said.

Membership to council will also raise Jamaica’s maritime profile globally, in light of the Government’s recent initiative to establish the country as a Shipping Centre and a Global Logistics Hub.