Function & Structure
The Bureau of Maritime Affairs is headed by Commissioner Binyah C. Kesselly, who is a designated appointee of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The Bureau is currently structured on a functional basis, which is aligned with its growth strategy.
The functional areas are:
- New Business Development & Strategic Marketing
- Technical services
- Maritime Operations
- Finance
- Legal
- Administration
- Human Resources
The New Business Development & Strategic Marketing functions has responsibility for the exploration of all new venture activities at the Bureau of Maritime Affairs (BMA) and, play a key role in managing customer relations as well as the marketing of the program.
The Technical Services function has responsibility for managing the Bureau’s Port State responsibilities. This refers to the inspection of foreign ships that enter our National ports. These inspections include the verification/ validation that the conditions of both the ship/vessel equipment and its crew comply with and conform to the requirements and standards as set by the International Maritime Organizations (IMO) Conventions, Treaties, Protocols and/ or Regulations. These guidelines are in place not only to ensure vessel seaworthiness, but also to ensure that the vessel is manned and operates in full compliance with these regulations as well.
Flag State responsibilities refer to the regulatory authority that a country has over the commercial vessels which is registered under its flag. This involves the inspection and certification of said vessels as well as the issuance of safety and pollution prevention documents.
All of the Bureau’s operations are managed by the Maritime Operations function which includes vessel registration, seafarer certification, mortgage recordation and all flag state responsibilities.
The Finance function has responsibility for financial reporting and analysis and internal auditing.
All of the BMA’s legal requirements are managed by the Legal function.
The Administration function oversees IT and procurement and logistics, and is responsible for the organization’s strategic investments in technology and infrastructure.
The Human Resources function focuses on employee relations, training and organizational development, and talent management.
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"Unspoken commitment to deliver the 'Best in Class' while protecting the long-term interests of shipowners, the seafarers who serve on these ships, and the global environment which we all operate in"