The Department of Maritime Administration starts as a quango, effective tomorrow, under the new rubric of the Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority.

Legislation for the move was passed by Parliament in June with Bob Richards, the Minister of Finance, citing the need for “an efficient, competitive and economically viable shipping registry”.

It follows on recommendations made by the Spending and Government Efficiency Commission to change the authority into an independent entity, for a more flexible growth of Bermuda’s shipping register.

The authority was formally established on July 12.

As of October 1, the authority will operate under a CEO, Captain GPA Nawaratne, and board of directors, covering maritime safety, prevention pollution from ships, marine security and standards of seafarers on locally registered vessels.

Previously, the department functioned under Ministry of Tourism, Transport and Municipalities. According to a statement issued this afternoon, the authority will run with the oversight of the minister responsible for shipping, in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act 2002.

Operations in Britain will not change, nor will there be switches in personnel at the Hamilton headquarters, where it will remain located. Contact numbers and e-mail addresses will also stay as they are, with alterations planned in the future.