In a strategic move to deepen its global footprint in the international maritime industry, the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping (ADOMS) announced its latest expansion into the Asian market, establishing a new regional presence in Busan, Republic of Korea—one of the world’s busiest and most influential maritime hubs.
This new initiative marks the next phase of ADOMS’ targeted global growth strategy, which already counts successful regional operations in two other key maritime centers: Piraeus, Greece, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Those earlier outposts have already proven transformative, allowing the administration to deliver more direct, tailored support to shipowners, vessel operators and a wide range of maritime stakeholders across major international trading lanes.
The formal agreement for the Busan partnership was signed at an official ceremony on August 21, 2026, with parties including the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, ADOMS, and Thomas Blenk, President and CEO of SolarisTech Inc. The signing was presided over by the Right Honourable Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.
Under the terms of the new partnership, the Busan office will actively promote the Antigua and Barbuda Ship and Yacht Registry across both the South Korean and Japanese maritime markets. By placing ADOMS’ full suite of regulatory and administrative services closer to regional industry players, the move will cut down on response times and make it easier for Asian shipowners to access the registry’s offerings.
For ADOMS, the Busan expansion represents a critical milestone in the organization’s long-term goal of building a presence in all the world’s top maritime markets, all while retaining robust regulatory oversight and core Flag State responsibilities at its headquarters in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda.
Prime Minister Browne emphasized the significance of the expansion during the ceremony, noting that the move into Busan represents a major step forward for Antigua and Barbuda’s ambition to position its maritime services as a competitive global player. “Korea is a major maritime nation, and this partnership provides ADOMS with an important platform from which to engage with the wider Asian maritime community,” Browne stated. “We welcome Mr. Blenk and look forward to the success of this initiative.”
Ambassador Dwight C.R. Gardiner, Director and Registrar General of ADOMS, echoed that optimism, pointing to the proven success of the organization’s existing regional hubs. “Our experience in Piraeus and Dubai has demonstrated the value of having a professional presence in major maritime centres. Busan is a natural extension of that strategy,” Gardiner explained. “We are bringing ADOMS closer to shipowners and strengthening our ability to provide responsive, high-quality Flag State services in one of the world’s most important maritime regions.”
As ADOMS continues to scale its international network, the administration has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to upholding strict global standards across all core operational areas, including maritime safety, vessel security, environmental protection, seafarer welfare, and Flag State regulatory administration.