Saudi Arabia has launched the NextWave Seafarers pilot project at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) headquarters in London, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Represented by the Transport General Authority (TGA) and Bahri, the project represents a significant collaboration with IMO.
It basically seeks to train maritime academy students from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), support advanced research as well as foster international maritime cooperation.
Signed on the sidelines of the IMO Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training, and Watchkeeping (HTW) meeting, the project is set to be implemented between 2025 and 2026.
With a total budget of nearly $700,000 (SAR2,625,000), the initiative will focus on addressing the under-representation of seafarers from these regions in the global shipping workforce.
The project also aims to strengthen cooperation between IMO member states and shipping companies and attract more international participation in this initiative.
Furthermore, it will extensively offer hands-on training opportunities aboard Saudi vessels for maritime academy cadets from SIDS and LDCs.
Interestingly, the first phase will provide 20 students from these countries with onboard training aboard Saudi vessels between 2025 and 2026.
Through this training, students will gain practical experience and necessary skills to boldly start their maritime careers.
The NextWave Seafarers project stands as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s dedication to enhancing the maritime workforce, unleashing new training opportunities, as well as improving capacity-building initiatives.
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