Guyana is hosting the fifth Regional Meeting of Directors and Heads of Maritime Administration (DIHMAR5) for the first time, bringing together maritime leaders from across the Caribbean to strengthen cooperation, improve port state procedures and advance maritime safety and environmental protection standards.

The session, which got underway at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) in Liliendaal on Sunday, is being viewed as a significant milestone for Guyana and the wider Caribbean, underscoring the region’s commitment to building a safer, more secure and sustainable maritime sector.

Delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar said the meeting comes at a critical time for the Caribbean, where maritime transport remains central to economic activity and international trade.