Discussing strategy and collaboration, maritime security and resilience, the Red Ensign Group’s Annual Conference in Bermuda agreed priorities and strengthened cooperation.
Three days of discussion between members of the Red Ensign Group (REG) have concluded in Bermuda, with a focus on the future direction of shipping, shared standards and coordinated responses to an increasingly complex maritime environment.
Held in Bermuda from 30 June to 2 July 2026, the 37th REG Conference gathered more than 70 delegates from the UK, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories to share expertise, review current challenges and identify common priorities.
The event was opened by Honourable Owen Darrell JP MP, Bermuda Parliament’s Minister for Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport. Across the programme, members considered the health and growth of Shipping Registers, innovation, safety, sustainability, domestic shipping and the impact of global instability.
During the Priorities Working Group, members identified shared priorities towards a collaborative REG strategy, bringing together themes including register growth, long-term planning, practical cooperation and consistent standards across maritime administrations.
The conference also focused on maritime security, resilience and sanctions, reinforcing the value of shared understanding, strong relationships and coordinated systems to respond to global challenges.
The Coastal State Forum, now in its eighth year, brought island administrations together to discuss marine pollution, navigation safety, training, regulation and hydrography, reflecting the importance of shared expertise for jurisdictions heavily dependent on the sea.
Guernsey Harbour Master James Way said: “For Guernsey, participation in the Red Ensign Group is invaluable. It gives us access to a network of expertise and collaboration that would be difficult to replicate independently, enabling us to benefit from shared knowledge, common standards, and collective experience across a diverse range of maritime jurisdictions.
“By engaging in forums such as this, we strengthen our own capabilities, support continuous improvement in our maritime governance, and help ensure that Guernsey continues to meet the highest international standards as a responsible coastal state.”
Sessions on domestic vessel regulation, pollution response, MARPOL and decarbonisation also underlined how environmental protection, regulatory compliance and operational resilience sit alongside maritime safety.
As the conference closed, attention turned to next steps: maintaining alignment, sustaining high standards and developing a shared approach to the challenges ahead across the 16 REG members.
Summing up the three days of discussion, Conference Chair Christian Olsen, Director of Maritime Governance and Regulatory Compliance at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: “I look forward to continuing work with colleagues across the Red Ensign Group as we face new challenges together and advance the quality and standing of the British shipping.”