Mombasa: In a major stride towards unlocking the country's maritime potential, Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) has flagged off 12 cadets selected for a one-year sea-time training with global shipping giant CMA CGM. The initiative marks a significant milestone in the Academy's push to bridge the long-standing gap between graduation and sea-time experience, which is a key requirement for full seafaring certification.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Academy is committed to ensuring all graduates get the mandatory sea time training through partnerships with major international and local shipping lines. Speaking during the ceremony at the Academy, BMA CEO Dr. Eric Katana affirms that they have taken bold steps in demystifying sea-time opportunities, a challenge that has historically been a major bottleneck for many aspiring seafarers.
"Through strategic engagements with industry partners like CMA CGM, we are not only opening up pathways but also restoring hope and direction to our graduates," stated the CEO. To ensure that the sea time opportunities are accessible to all qualified candidates, the Academy has established and maintains an up-to-date alumni database.
"This tool enables us to monitor our graduates, assess their readiness, and recommend the most qualified candidates to our industry partners. From this pool, the current group of cadets was selected, ensuring fairness, merit, and alignment with the profession's demands," explained Dr. Katana. The selection process involved multiple stages of assessment, guided by objective criteria and supervised by BMA professionals.
The CEO thanked CMA CGM for their unwavering support and collaborative spirit since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in 2021. He noted that the partnership has not only opened doors for the cadets but also affirms CMA CGM's commitment to developing maritime professionals in the country and the region.
"Today is more than a ceremonial flag-off. It is a testament to transparency, diligence, and meritocracy. The selection process for these 12 cadets was nothing short of vigorous," Dr. Katana stated. The Cadets were advised to embrace the opportunity with humility, discipline, and a relentless commitment to excellence.
CMA CGM East Africa Managing Director, Naveen Prabhu, emphasized the importance of continuing the valuable partnership with the Government of Kenya through BMA to support the growth of the maritime industry. The partnership, he said, embodies the company's values, which advocate hard work, resilience, and achievements of the highest standards.
"Today not only marks the culmination of rigorous training, sleepless nights, and relentless perseverance but also the beginning of a new chapter-a chapter that will see you navigate the vast oceans and perhaps even the uncharted waters of life itself," he told the cadets. He further lauded the Public-Private Partnership as key in bridging the skill gaps and ensuring that the country has qualified human resources.
Winnie Nyambu, a Cadet, thanked CMA CGM for the sea time opportunity, promising to make the nation proud. The Kenya Maritime Authority Ag. Director of Maritime Safety Eng. Luke Samba assured Kenyans that education and training offered at BMA meet all international standards and the country regulations.