The International Forum on Seafarers’ Education, Training and Crewing has already become traditional. In 2019, National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” holds the 7th annual forum, which this year is dedicated to the celebration of the 75th anniversary of NU “OMA” founding .
The Forum is organized by National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” and the Exhibition Centre “Odessa Home”. Traditionally, the Forum has been supported by International Transport Federation (ITF), International Maritime Employers’Council (IMEC), World Maritime University (WMU), International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU), the Nautical Institute, the Institute of Maritime Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST). More than 180 delegates, 100 organizations and companies from 25 countries from Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Germany, Hong Kong (China), Greece, Denmark, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Turkey, Ukraine, Finland, the Philippines, Croatia, Sweden, and Estonia and Japan participate in the conference.The delegates represent maritime educational institutions, training centres, shipping and crewing companies, simulators and software developers and other representatives of the maritime industry. Thousands of guests, seafarers and cadets visit the exhibition every year. The Forum’s general partner is Anglo-Eastern Ship Management (Hong Kong), a leading independent ship management service provider for shipowners from all over the world.
The general partner of the exhibition is the company Wärtsilä (Finland), a global leader in the field of intellectual technologies and solutions to the full life cycle for the marine and energy markets. The general partner of the conference is Kongsberg Maritime, a leading global company that provides systems for dynamic positioning and navigation, marine automation, safety management, cargo operations, underwater research and construction, maritime training and satellite positioning.
The forum brings together partners who are interested in high-quality training, and crewing of seafarers, safe and efficient operation of seagoing vessels, and provides excellent opportunities for discussing the issues facing the marine industry. The conference program includes 5 plenary sessions, 11 presentations, 4 panel discussions and 3 round tables.
Plenary sessions and panel discussions include the following topics: shipping management and human resources; competence of seafarers and human factor; education, practical training and certification of seafarers; recent technological advances for shipping and maritime education; modern personnel management in shipping. Round tables: criminalization of sailors; mixed learning and the future of training; continuous professional development of seafarers.
The motto of the Forum is “Partnership for Progress”. The partnership, joint efforts of all stakeholders make it possible to solve the problem of a shortage of qualified personnel in the global merchant fleet and ensure efficient and safe navigation and the protection of marine environment through human resource management.
The opportunity to demonstrate the potential of maritime education and the employment system for seafarers in Ukraine to the international maritime community confirms the position of Ukraine as one of the leaders in staffing world navigation with highly qualified specialists. We look forward to new companies entering into the Ukrainian market and the opening of new cadet programs.
