Shipping industry representatives are set to anchor in Bermuda next week as the Bermuda International Shipping Association presents its first shipping conference.

The conference, dubbed "1995 Bermuda: Charting the Course'', gets underway on Wednesday evening with a reception hosted by Premier the Hon. David Saul and concludes on Saturday with a golf outing.

Sessions, covering US Coast Guard Certificates of Financial Responsibility (COFRs), Port State Control and international shipping markets commence Thursday morning and run through Friday afternoon.

Over 100 delegates have registered for the conference, said a spokesman for International Marketing Strategies, Inc., the Connecticut-based firm coordinating the event.

US National Pollution Centre director Mr. Dan Sheehan, Mr. George Greenwood, with the Steamship Underwriting Mutual Association, and BP Shipping (UK) chief executive Mr. Richard Paniguian are on the conference's agenda.

Per Gustav Blom, CFO of Smedvig Tankships Ltd., the tanker company recently stunned by rival Bona Shipholding Ltd.'s takeover bid, is slated to speak on accessing capital markets from Bermuda.

Shoreline Mutual's consultant and director of the Strikes Club Mr. Edward Mocatta, Stockton Reinsurance president Mr. Thomas Dailey and ACE Ltd.'s executive vice president of underwriting Mr. Bill Loschert are also on the agenda.

Shoreline is a mutual insurer acting as guarantor for its members to enable the Coast Guard to issue COFRs while First Line, provider of OPA 90 guarantees, is backed by Stockton Re.

Shoreline is extensively reinsured by Centre Re while ACE, XL and Lloyd's market are the principal reinsurers of Stockton Re.

Marine Safety Agency UK chief executive Mr. Robin Bradley and Bermuda Registry of Shipping's principal marine surveyor Mr. David Wright will deliver luncheon addresses on Thursday and Friday respectively.

Bermuda Registrar of Shipping and BISA conference committee chairman Mr. Ron Bulling will moderate day one while London and Overseas Freighters Ltd.

chairman Mr. Miles Kulukundis will moderate day two.

The conference, to be held at the Sonesta Beach Hotel, was organised by recently incorporated BISA and is sponsored by Shoreline Mutual Management (Bermuda) Ltd. and First Line as well as Government.

"The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) did more than alter the way tankers operate in US waters.'' "It underscored a diligent worldwide effort to protect life at sea and the environment and changed forever the way the entire shipping industry conducts business.

"1995 Bermuda will focus on several uniquely challenging areas and opportunities, providing answers for 1996 and beyond,'' conference organisers said in the event programme.

The conference will also explore the coverage insurers can provide and issues faced by owners.

"Accompanying OPA 90 demands has been the rise of Port State Control protection and regulation of ports and coastlines,'' organisers said.

"International shipping is still a commercial endeavour and the conference will conclude with a professional look at the prospects for trade and ways for all to prosper,'' BISA said.

BISA was formed to promote Bermuda as a preferred jurisdiction for the registration of ships and the formation and operation of shipping companies and to encourage shipping companies operating in and from Bermuda to carry out their business in an ethical manner.

BISA draws its membership from ship owners and managers, P&I clubs, accountants, agents and the legal profession.