Mombasa:Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) is aiming to boost its maritime capability development and training ecosystem through collaborations with international industry leaders. The academy has engaged in discussions with Wilhelmsen Ship Management’s General Manager, Craig De Savoye, regarding sea-time placements and employment opportunities for its cadets and graduates.
According to Kenya News Agency, Wilhelmsen Ship Management, a major player in the global maritime industry, manages over 450 vessels worldwide and employs 13,000 active seafarers. The company’s cadetship program offers practical sea experience and potential employment opportunities for successful candidates. BMA has previously benefited from this program, providing its cadets with essential sea-time experience.
BMA’s Assistant Director, Quality Assurance, Michael Njogah, praised the training program and emphasized the need for more sea-time placements for BMA cadets. He highlighted that the partnership with Wilhelmsen enhances the employability of trainees and supports Kenya’s ambitions to become a competitive maritime hub.
The academy is located in Mombasa, a vibrant port city, and is recognized as Kenya’s premier center for maritime education. BMA is expanding its training capabilities through partnerships aimed at capacity building and student exchange programs. Njogah noted that these collaborations would equip cadets with skills to tackle industry challenges, such as navigational safety and environmental protection.
BMA Nautical Science Trainer Winnie Nyambu called for the academy’s involvement in Wilhelmsen’s cadet selection process to improve candidate identification and recruitment effectiveness. She attributed the readiness of BMA cadets to the academy’s Competency-Based Curriculum, which aligns with industry needs.
De Savoye commended the professionalism of Kenyan seafarers and expressed interest in further collaboration with BMA. The ongoing partnerships reflect BMA’s commitment to modernizing the maritime sector and expanding access to global career opportunities for its graduates.
In addition, BMA is preparing to receive a training vessel donated by South Korea, in collaboration with Kenya Shipyards Limited, to support seagoing training. This initiative marks a significant advancement in maritime education and the blue economy, reinforcing BMA’s status as a regional center of excellence in maritime skills development.
