It has already become a good tradition to hold the International Forum on Seafarers’ Education, Training and Crewing (ETC) in Odessa. National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” (NU “OMA”) and the Exhibition Center “Odessa Home” have held the 7th Annual Forum on 5-6 June 2019, which was dedicated to the celebration of the 75th Anniversary from the foundation of NU “OMA”. The forum was held in the passenger complex of the Odessa Commercial Sea Port and traditionally united the conference and the exhibition. It is a great honor for the organizers that the representatives of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), International Council of Maritime Employers (IMEC), The World Maritime University (WMU) at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU), The Nautical Institute took part in the Forum. More than 180 delegates, 100 organizations and companies from 25 countries have participated in this Forum: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hong Kong (China), India, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine and Finland.
The delegates have represented international associations, maritime educational institutions, simulation training centers, shipping and crewing companies, developers of marine simulators, software and equipment, trade unions, other companies and organizations of maritime industry. Thousands of guests, seafarers and cadets have visited the exhibition. 6 free seminars were held for them during the Forum.
For several years’ Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, a leading independent provider of ship management services to ship owners around the world, is the General Partner of the Forum.
The General Partner of the exhibition is Wӓrtsilӓ (Finland), which is the world leader in the field of intelligent technologies and full life-cycle solutions for marine and energy markets.
The General Partner of the conference is Kongsberg Maritime Company (Norway) – a world leading company, which deliver systems for dynamic positioning and navigation, marine automation, safety management, cargo handling, subsea survey and construction, maritime training, and satellite positioning.
Forum unites the partners, who are interested in effective studying, practical training and employment of seafarers, safe and effective operation of the ships, provides excellent opportunities for discussing current issues facing the maritime industry.
The program of the conference consisted of 5 plenary sessions, 11 presentations, 4 panel discussions and 3 round tables. The topics for plenary sessions and panel discussions were: Ship Management and Maritime Human Resources; Seafarers’ Competence and Human Element; Maritime Education, Training and Certification; Latest Technological Developments for Shipping and MET; Modern Crew Management. The topics of round tables were: Criminalization of Seafarers; Blended Learning and the Future of Simulator Training; Seafarers’ Continuing Professional Development.
The motto of the Forum is “Partnership for Progress”. Partnership and joint efforts of all concerned parties enable to solve the problem of qualified staff shortage in the global merchant fleet and ensure effective and safe navigation as well as protection of marine environment through human resource management.
A high potential of maritime education and the system of employment of seafarers in Ukraine were demonstrated to the international maritime community as one of the leaders in providing highly qualified specialists to the personnel of world shipping. We expect new companies to enter the Ukrainian market as well as opening new programs for cadets.
Next International Forum on Seafarers’ Education, Training and Crewing is scheduled on 20th – 21st of May, 2020 in Odessa, Ukraine. Please mark the dates in your calendar.
For more information visit Forum Website: www.etc-odessa.com