TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PORT STATE CONTROL IN HONDURAS
The accession of the Maritime Authority of Honduras to the Latin American Agreement of Viña del Mar is the milestone that marks the beginning of the history of the figure of Port State in the country. This responsibility is related to the emerging scheme of global maritime governance that the Maritime Authorities are leading worldwide, as they also perform the functions inherent to the flag State and coastal State, enshrined in the UNCLOS and the International Maritime Conventions.
Following the story about the Port State in the country, when we go back to its origin and specifically to the national regulations, we find its implementation through DGMM Agreement Nº 005-2001 dated August 27, 2001, in view of IMO Resolution A.787 (19) and the Latin American agreement of Viña del Mar 1992. The Port State is responsible for supervising that international vessels arriving at Honduran ports comply with International Maritime Organization standards. It is also its role to identify deficiencies of the vessels, their equipment or crew, in strict compliance with the Organic Law of the Merchant Marine and other International Maritime Conventions to which Honduras is a state party.
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the implementation of the Port State Control in Honduras. It should be noted that due to the nature of the current problem, under the existence of COVID-19, many state entities were limited in the work of their functions. However, the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine of Honduras, through its Port State inspectors, was in full operation which allowed the development of maritime activity, achieving that the economy of the Republic of Honduras remains in constant movement, as well as contributing to trade in Honduras. Still, the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine of Honduras, through its Port State inspectors, was fully operational, allowing the development of maritime activity, keeping the economy of the Republic of Honduras in constant movement, as well as contributing to maritime trade and promoting safety, maritime security and the prevention of pollution by ships.
It has been two decades of effort and dedication in which our Honduran inspectors have contributed to the strengthening of the Latin American Agreement of Viña del Mar. This has allowed us to be part of a platform of opportunities to continue growing as a Port State through the exchange of information, experiences and good practices, allowing interaction with the rest of the Port State control regimes worldwide. Likewise, during this tour, as of 2018, the inclusion of a woman has been achieved within the list of inspectors performing the oversight work, in accordance with Goal 5 of the SDG of the 2030 agenda related to gender equality.
After reviewing the actions developed throughout these 20 years, which allowed the implementation of the figure of Port State, it can be concluded that Honduran inspectors have stood out for their quality of service, compliance with international conventions and relevant instruments and above all for the treatment of the crews of vessels in our ports, even in times of COVID 19 pandemic. Similarly, it has shown the openness that allows the increased participation of women in this difficult but enriching field of maritime activity in Honduras.