Pratik Bijlani –
To commemorate this landmark achievement, the Mumbai maritime community gathered on 3 December at The Club, Andheri (West), for a celebratory evening that brought together shipowners, agents, maritime professionals, and senior registry officials. The event honored the RMI Registry’s steadfast commitment to quality, safety, and regulatory excellence at a time when global shipping faces increasing scrutiny over compliance and environmental performance.
The celebration followed the successful sixth bi-annual Nautical Inspector’s Seminar, held earlier in the day at Hotel Novotel, which featured insightful sessions led by Indian government officials and Marshall Islands Registry inspectors.
Welcoming the guests, Capt. Sanjay Maini, Country Head (India), reflected on the sentimental significance of the venue, noting that the India office’s first opening event had taken place at the same location in December 2007. He attributed the Registry’s remarkable evolution to strong leadership and a unified vision, stating in his address, “The exponential growth of the Marshall Islands Registry is the result of one remarkable vision, led with consistency from the very beginning—under the leadership of our President, Bill Gallagher.”
The event saw the presence of senior leaders from International Registries, Inc. and its affiliates (IRI), which provide administrative and technical support to the RMI Maritime and Corporate Registries. Distinguished attendees included Bill Gallagher, President (IRI Reston); Theo Xenakoudis, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, Piraeus Office (IRI Piraeus); Simon Bonnett, Chief Maritime Officer (IRI London); Tom Jenkins, Senior Vice President, Investigations (IRI Long Beach); and Hans Krijger, General Manager (IRI Roosendaal and Hamburg), along with other senior officers. IRI manages vessel registration, company formation, mortgage recording, and a wide range of technical and administrative services through its extensive global office network.
Addressing the gathering, Bill Gallagher expressed deep appreciation for the unwavering support of the Indian maritime fraternity. In a warm and personal reflection, he recalled the early days when the India office began with a single representative and has since grown into a comprehensive service center. “What started with just one person in India has today grown into a full-service office of 27 dedicated professionals, and I am extremely proud of what Sanjay and the entire team have accomplished,” he said. He further highlighted how IRI has become an integral part of the Indian shipping community through trust, collaboration, and strong engagement with industry stakeholders and government authorities.
The evening concluded on a celebratory note with cocktails, dinner, and musical entertainment by a violinist and flutist performing popular Indian and international melodies. As RMI continues to set global benchmarks in quality and compliance, its historic QUALSHIP 21 record stands as a powerful testament to sustained excellence, responsible flag administration, and an unwavering commitment to maritime safety worldwide.
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Marex Media
Box 1
People, Safety, and Global Oversight…
Mr Bill Gallagher expresses that the RMI Registry’s 21-year QUALSHIP 21 streak is about people and resources. We invest in the right personnel, maintain a mix of in-house and ex-Coast Guard inspectors, and prioritize seafarers’ safety above all. Our offices worldwide, including 27 staff in India, ensure hands-on oversight and continuous training. When evaluating a flag, shipowners should recognize that strong compliance isn’t just about reputation—it directly protects lives at sea and ensures smooth operations across global ports.
Box 2
Transparent Communication and Training…
Mr Hans Krijger mentions that maintaining QUALSHIP 21 for 21 consecutive years has been a continuous learning process — driven by data, trend analysis and the ability to anticipate challenges before they arise. Our success comes from continuous training, 24/7 support for inspectors, and direct, transparent communication with shipowners and managers. By taking full responsibility as a flag and addressing issues proactively, we ensure high-quality compliance and safeguard seafarers’ safety, setting the Marshall Islands apart from other large registries worldwide.