Maritieme Autoriteit Suriname

What Maritieme Autoriteit Suriname does

Maritieme Autoriteit Suriname (MAS) is a sui generis statutory maritime authority established on May 14, 1998 under the Maritime Authority Suriname Act (Bulletin of acts and decrees 1998 No. 37), tracing its origins to the Port and Pilotage Service founded on July 1, 1947. Headquartered at Cornelis Jongbawstraat 2 in Paramaribo with a branch office in Nickerie, MAS operates as a semi-governmental organization under the oversight of Suriname's Ministry of Transport, Communication and Tourism, led by Director M. Amafo LL.M and a five-member management team. The agency holds exclusive statutory jurisdiction over maritime regulation, vessel certification, pilotage, port facility security, and hydrographic data for all Surinamese waters. The organization employs approximately 125 staff and has maintained ISO 9001 quality certification continuously since 2007.

MAS delivers a portfolio of regulatory and operational services through direct service delivery (Paramaribo HQ and Nickerie branch), an e-Service online portal (eservice.mas.sr), and VHF channels 12 and 16 for pilotage and Notice of Arrival submissions. Core offerings include pilotage of sea-going vessels through narrow and shallow Surinamese waterways, vessel certification and inspection across categories (sea fishing, coastal fishing, population fishing, ferries, voluntary inspection) with tariffs denominated in SRD, hydrographic surveys and nautical chart production per International Hydrographic Organization standards, ISPS port facility security certification, SOLAS-conformant weighbridge registration (13 operators as of May 2026), waterworks permits (US$500 preliminary assessment), vessel supply and crew change services within 10 nautical miles, and the production of Notice to Mariners and Shipping Notices. MAS owns and operates a fleet comprising three pilot boats (Kumaru II, Kutai, Waraku), hydrographic vessel Pasisi, multipurpose vessel Marwina, and a tide measurement network across Suriname, Nickerie, and Marowijne monitoring stations.

Revenue is generated through transaction-based fees, professional service charges, and government oversight, with all vessels navigating Surinamese waters required to use MAS services. The agency manages capital infrastructure projects, most notably the 68km Suriname River Dredging Project (SRDP), through which Phase 2 capital dredging to -5.5m CD was completed ahead of schedule in August 2023 and Phase 3 is in planning with technical studies, feasibility studies, and an ESIA underway. MAS serves commercial shipping companies, shipping agents (CMA CGM, Integra Marine & Freight Services, VSH United, Rudisa, Traymore, Kuldipsingh), the national fishery sector, oil and gas operators (Staatsolie, Noble Developer's offshore drilling campaign through November 2026), and port operators (DP World). The organization participates in international regulatory and standards bodies including IMO, IHO, IALA, IMPA, CMOU, MACHC, USCG, CSA, ACS, ISA, and OAS, and is party to international conventions SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, the Caribbean Cargo Safety Code, and the Small Commercial Vessel Code. A Strategic Business Plan covering 2024-2029 articulates a vision to become a "professional, commercially oriented, innovative and leading organization."

Name

Maritieme Autoriteit Suriname

Legal name

Maritieme Autoriteit Suriname

Website

https://mas.sr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Maritieme Autoriteit Suriname is a sui generis statutory maritime authority in Suriname providing exclusive pilotage, vessel certification, hydrographic surveys, port facility security, and dredging project management for all vessels in Surinamese waters, headquartered in Paramaribo with ~125 employees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Regulatory Services

NAICS

Navigational Services to Shipping (488330), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615)

akta.pro primary industry

Maritime & Port Authorities (Public Ports, Harbors, Ferries Terminals) (BPAIALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

ISPS Code Compliance & Port Facility Security Assessments (PFSA/PFSP) (TLAHANAA), Ship & Port Security Audits, Inspections & Certification (Flag/Class/PSC Support) (TLAHANAD), Port Dues, Permitting & Regulatory Clearances (TLAHAFAD), Environmental, Spill Prevention & Response Compliance (MARPOL, SOPEP/SMPEP, Waste) (TLAHANAI), Maritime Single Window & Regulatory Reporting Systems (TLAHAOAB)

Keywords

• Maritime regulatory services
• Vessel pilotage operations
• Port state control
• Hydrographic survey services
• Ship certification inspection

Headquarters

HQ city

Paramaribo

HQ country

Suriname

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Pilotage Fees: Levy charges for piloting sea-going vessels to and from ports, adjusted per government order (e.g., Decision of 13 October 2008 adjusting the Pilotage Tariff levy).
2. Vessel Certification and Inspection Fees: Registration, inspection, and authorization fees for vessels navigating Surinamese waters. Fees vary by vessel category (sea fishing vessels, coastal fishing, population fishing, ferries) and tonnage.
3. Hydrographic Survey Services: Bathymetry data sales and depth measurement requests for navigation charting.
4. Waterworks Assessment: Preliminary assessment fee of US$ 500 (or equivalent in SRD) for construction permits, plus final assessment and approval costs.
5. Product Sales: Sale of nautical charts, tide tables for Suriname, and maritime history publications.
6. Beacon Fees: Beacon fees charged for marking and waterway navigation aids, adjusted per government order.
7. Weighbridge Registration: Registration of certified weighbridges and weighing installations offering services per Shipping Notice 02-2016 regarding SOLAS cargo information.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Maritime Authority Suriname (MAS) is the statutory semi-governmental maritime authority for Suriname, providing integrated maritime regulatory and operational services in Surinamese waters. Its core offerings include pilotage of sea-going vessels through narrow and shallow waterways, vessel registration, inspection and certification, hydrographic surveys and nautical chart publication, ISPS port facility security certification, waterworks permitting, tide measurement services, and management of the multi-phase Suriname River Dredging Project (SRDP) covering 68 km of navigation channel. All services are delivered under exclusive legal jurisdiction granted by the Maritime Authority Suriname Act of 1998.

Product overview

The Maritime Authority Suriname (MAS) is a government maritime authority offering a comprehensive suite of regulatory and operational services for Surinamese waters. The portfolio centers on the e-Service MAS online portal providing digital access to services, complemented by core operational offerings including vessel pilotage, certification, hydrographic surveys, and Notice to Mariners. Additional products include nautical charts and tide tables, waterworks authorization, weighbridge registration, boat licensing, and vessel supply operations. The organization also manages major infrastructure projects such as the Suriname River Dredging Project (SRDP) to enhance navigational capacity. Maritime library and educational facilities are available to third parties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pilotage Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Channel depth increased from -4.5m CD to -5.5m CD, enabling vessels to navigate under better laden conditions or during all phases of the tide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Caribbean Maritime University (CMU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between the Foundation for Logistics Training (FLT) and Caribbean Maritime University to offer maritime training courses and educational programs. MAS facilitates the collaboration and provides course brochures including SMI info, CMU general brochure, Faculty brochures, Marine & Nautical Studies, Graduate Studies, and Shipping & Logistics programs.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)minorOthersIMO is responsible for the safety of shipping and prevention of marine pollution by ships. MAS applies IMO standards in its corporate procedures and business activities.
• International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)minorOthersIntergovernmental consultative and technical organization founded in 1921, focused on safety of navigation and protection of the marine environment. MAS carries out Hydrographic measurements according to IHO international standards.
• International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA)minorOthersIALA is a non-profit international technical association established in 1957 that gathers Marine Aids to Navigation authorities, manufacturers, consultants, and scientific and training institutes. MAS participates in IALA training programs (press release June 2023 on IALA Training).
• International Maritime Pilots Association (IMPA)minorOthersNon-profit association with international orientation promoting professionally sound and safe pilotage. MAS applies IMPA standards for piloting of vessels in Surinamese waters.
• Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (CMOU)minorOthersCMOU regime strives to ensure that shipping is conducted in a safe and environmentally friendly way across the Caribbean region. MAS conducts Port State Control inspections on foreign ships.
• Meso American-Caribbean Sea Hydrographic Commission (MACHC)minorOthersRegional hydrographic commission established in 1994, originally as the Caribbean Sea-Gulf of Mexico Hydrographic Commission. MAS participates as Suriname's national hydrographic authority.
• United States Coast Guard (USCG)minorOthersOne of the five armed forces of the United States with responsibility for maritime safety, security, and environmental protection. Listed as international organization partner on the MAS About page.
• Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA)minorOthersRegional association established to monitor, discuss and share information in support of growth and development of shipping in the Caribbean. MAS is listed as a partner organization.
• Association of Caribbean States (ACS)minorOthersOrganization promoting consultation and cooperation between all countries of the Caribbean. MAS is listed as a partner organization.
• International Seabed Authority (ISA)minorOthersAutonomous international organization under the United Nations established under the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea. MAS applies ISA standards in its maritime operations.
• Organization of American States (OAS)minorOthersInternational organization of 35 independent American states, founded in 1948. MAS is listed as a partner organization.
• Integra Marine & Freight ServicesminorOthersLeading company in Suriname in the field of maritime and shipping industry. Listed as national partner organization on the MAS About page.
• VSH UnitedminorOthersGroup of companies founded in 1958 with activities including shipping, trade, industry, and real estate development. Associated companies involved in insurance, banking, and hospitality. Listed as national partner organization.
• Ministry of Transport, Communication and Tourism (Suriname)coreOthersGovernment ministry with oversight responsibility for MAS. MAS is semi-governmental and remains under the control of this ministry. The ministry facilitates safe, modern, reliable, and integrated connectivity for people and goods.
• BoskalisminorOthersDredging contractor providing Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) Crestway for the Suriname River Dredging Project (SRDP) Phase 2 capital dredging operations.
• de Boer, Dutch DredgingminorOthersDredging contractor providing TSHD Saramacca and TSHD Parana for the Suriname River Dredging Project (SRDP) Phase 2 operations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Maritime Authority of Trinidad and Tobago: National maritime authority responsible for vessel registration, certification, and maritime safety in Trinidad and Tobago. Closely comparable to MAS as a Caribbean national regulator with an integrated mandate over certification, port-state control, and navigational safety.
• Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority: National maritime authority administering Bermuda's ship registry and maritime safety regulation. Comparable to MAS on regulatory mandate for ship registration and certification, though operating at a different commercial scale within the Caribbean.
• Cayman Islands Shipping Registry: National shipping registry operating under the Cayman Islands Maritime Authority, handling vessel registration and certification across multiple vessel categories. Directly comparable to MAS's vessel certification function within the Caribbean shipping ecosystem.
• Bahamas Maritime Authority: National maritime regulator of The Bahamas responsible for ship registration, certification, seafarer training standards, and port-state control. Comparable to MAS on regulatory mandate and Caribbean geographic positioning, with a much larger international ship registry business.
• Guyana Maritime Administration Department: Government maritime administration department of Guyana handling vessel registration, certification, and oversight of inland/coastal waters. The closest regional peer to MAS in terms of country scale, riverine navigation challenges, and emerging offshore oil-and-gas regulatory context.
• Antigua & Barbuda Department of Marine Services: Government department responsible for maritime services, vessel registration, and port operations in Antigua and Barbuda. Comparable to MAS as a small Caribbean governmental maritime regulator with integrated domestic and international functions.
• Maritime Authority of Jamaica: Statutory national maritime regulator for Jamaica performing vessel registration, certification, port-state control, and maritime safety oversight. Directly comparable to MAS in scope (national maritime authority, single-country mandate, integrated regulatory and operational functions) and Caribbean regional context.

Broad incumbents

• Panama Maritime Authority (AMP): The largest maritime administration in the Caribbean, overseeing ship registration, port-state control, and nautical safety. Comparable to MAS on overall regulatory mandate but operates at vastly greater scale and serves as a global flag-of-convenience registry.
• UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency: UK executive agency delivering maritime safety, certification, and regulatory oversight functions. Comparable to MAS on integrated maritime regulatory mandate but operates as part of a much broader governmental portfolio and jurisdiction.
• Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore: Global port-state maritime authority responsible for vessel registration, port operations, and navigational safety in Singapore. Comparable to MAS on integrated regulatory and port-state mandate, though operating at a vastly different scale as one of the world's largest maritime hubs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MAS_Suriname
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCi0vWHXRMQ5wBZ1ZdPp-3WQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/100063606998344
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maritieme-autoriteit-suriname

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maritieme Autoriteit Suriname