Caribbean Maritime University Awards Honorary Doctorate to ADOMS Director Ambassador Dwight Gardiner
Ambassador Dwight Gardiner, Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Marine Services (ADOMS), was honored today by the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) with an honorary Doctor of Laws.
This prestigious recognition highlights Gardiner’s impactful contributions to maritime governance, international diplomacy, and regional development.
Ambassador Gardiner’s journey began in 1981 as a deckhand on a humble tugboat, the Pathfinder, in Antigua.
From those early days, he rose to become one of the Caribbean’s most influential maritime leaders, navigating a path that led him to the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden, in 1989.
As the first Antiguan to earn a fellowship at this esteemed institution, Gardiner specialized in maritime safety and administration, returning home with a vision to transform the nation’s maritime industry.
Under his leadership, ADOMS transitioned from a “flag of convenience” to a respected “white list” flag by 2009, redirecting profits into the local economy and bolstering national pride.
His global influence grew as Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), where he elevated his country’s maritime standing.
Celebrated by the World Maritime University as its most outstanding alumnus in 2013, Gardiner later joined its Board of Governors in 2018.
Gardiner’s commitment extends to fostering young maritime talent, securing scholarships for Antiguan students and expanding regional maritime safety initiatives.
In 2016, as chairman of Antigua and Barbuda’s National Ocean Governance Committee, he achieved a landmark in Caribbean maritime diplomacy by finalizing the nation’s maritime boundaries with the United Kingdom and France.
For his dedication and achievements, Gardiner has received numerous honors, including being named a Grand Officer of the Most Illustrious Order of Merit by Antigua and Barbuda in 2013 and an Officer of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 2017.
Presenting the degree, CMU President Professor Andrew Spencer praised Gardiner as a leader whose contributions benefit the Caribbean and the global maritime community.
This honorary doctorate recognizes Gardiner’s lifelong commitment to excellence in maritime governance and his enduring service to his community and country.
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