Members of the National Maritime Strategy III Code Coordinating Working Group during a discussion session.

The Cayman Islands Government today completed the Cayman Islands III Code Proxy Audit and Red Ensign Group Monitoring Visit 2025, a rigorous seven-day assessment evaluating the territory’s implementation of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) safety and environmental protection standards.

The IMO Instruments Implementation Code (III Code) serves as a comprehensive framework that assists Member States in effectively implementing IMO mandatory instruments. The III Code provides detailed guidance on flag State, port State, and coastal State responsibilities, ensuring nations maintain the highest standards of maritime safety and environmental protection throughout their fleet and in their coastal waters.

The Red Ensign Group represents a collaborative network of maritime administrations spanning the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories. This partnership works to maintain exceptional standards of maritime safety, security and environmental stewardship across British-flagged vessels worldwide.

The audit followed a structured two-phase approach. The first phase took place in the Cayman Islands from 1 to 5 September during which government agencies were assessed for compliance with international standards.  The second phase continued this week in the United Kingdom, providing a complete evaluation of the territory’s maritime governance capabilities.

Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose serves as chairman of the National Maritime Strategy III Code Compliance Working Group, overseeing participation from multiple government agencies involved in the assessment including representatives from the Maritime Authority, Portfolio of Legal Affairs, Port Authority, Cayman Islands Coast Guard and Hazard Management Cayman Islands, among others.

“This audit represented far more than a regulatory requirement; it provided an important opportunity to demonstrate our continued commitment to maritime excellence and safety,” said Cabinet Secretary Rose. “Our multi-agency approach ensured we presented a comprehensive and cohesive overview of our maritime regulatory capabilities. Cayman has built its reputation on maintaining the highest international standards, and this assessment allowed us to showcase the depth and quality of our maritime governance framework.”

Rose added, “We view this process as both a validation of our current practices and an opportunity for continuous improvement. The collaborative effort across all participating agencies demonstrates our unified commitment to maintaining the Cayman Islands’ position as a world leader in maritime safety and regulatory excellence.”

Audit Team Leader, Mr. Regi John said, “While the audit has identified areas where further improvement is needed, it also recognised several best practices that are particularly noteworthy. In this regard, I want to commend the Cayman Islands Coast Guard, Hazard Management Cayman Islands, the Department of Environment, and the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands for upholding the highest international standards.”

The Cayman Islands has consistently ranked among the world’s most respected ship registries.