St. John’s Antigua, October 17th 2014…The Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, His Excellency Dr. Rodney Williams conferred the instrument of appointment to the position of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary with special responsibility for International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the International Maritime Satellite Organization (IMSO), Antigua and Barbuda Representative on Transportation (Port and Maritime) to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) to Ambassador Dwight C.R. Gardiner on Friday October 17th, 2014. Ambassador Gardiner was first appointed Ambassador to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on January 1st, 2013 and on Friday October 17th, 2014 he was appointed and re-appointed to various Regional and International Maritime Organizations.
Ambassador Gardiner is currently the Director and Registrar General of the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping (ADOMS). For over thirty years he has been involved in innumerable capacities in the maritime industry regionally and internationally. He was the architect of the expansion of the Antigua and Barbuda Maritime Administration and responsible for the simultaneous growth of the shipping registry positioning it to be one of the leading ship registries in the world.
Ambassador Gardiner has received a myriad of international awards and accolades for his contribution to the maritime sector. He has also served on countless regional and international committees and sub-committees ensuring that the Nation of Antigua and Barbuda is represented at the global decision-making table regarding international maritime policy. In November 2014, he will receive the prestigious award for Outstanding Alumnus from the World Maritime University, Malmo, Sweden.
When asked how he felt about his ambassadorial responsibilities Ambassador Gardiner said, “I am humbled by this present honour bestowed upon me. I look forward to continue applying my maritime knowledge and expertise for the further development and promotion of the Antigua and Barbuda maritime sector; as well, to advance the regional maritime sector as a whole. I commit to using this newly bestowed office to pursue maritime investment opportunities that will benefit our Nation and specifically the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.”