Kherson State Maritime Academy (KSMA) and Marlow Navigation have renewed their long-standing cooperation agreement to advance maritime education and training opportunities for Ukrainian cadets.
The signing ceremony took place in Chisinau at the end of October and was attended by KSMA’s Rector, Professor Viktor Husiev, and Assistant Professor of the Department of Shipping and Ship Management, Captain Sergey Dudchenko, together with Marlow Navigation’s General Manager, Joern Clodius, Training & Development Manager, Captain Martin Bankov, and Managing Director of Marlow’s Ukraine office, Captain Boris Ezri.
Rector Husiev expressed deep gratitude to Marlow for its continued support, highlighting the company’s crucial role in ensuring high-quality education and employment opportunities for graduates, as well as maintaining stability for maritime professionals during a challenging time for the country.
“We extend our thanks to Marlow Navigation for many years of trust, support, and genuine partnership that continues to help the Academy move forward with confidence,” said Rector Husiev. “Our cooperation stands as an example of stability, mutual respect, and shared commitment to developing modern maritime education and training in Ukraine,” he said.
During the meeting, both sides discussed current challenges, joint initiatives, and further steps to enhance the quality of education and practical training for cadets. The renewed agreement underscores a shared goal – to strengthen professional training and development and ensure that KSMA graduates continue to have career opportunities, and meet the highest international maritime standards.
Ukrainian seafarers continue to play a vital role in sustaining global maritime operations, contributing significant expertise and resilience that keep international shipping and trade networks functioning. A majority of the officers serving aboard Marlow’s crew-managed fleet are Ukrainian, many of whom are proud graduates of KSMA and participants in the joint training programme.
Reflecting on the partnership, Clodius reaffirmed the company’s ongoing commitment:
“We are pleased to continue this long-standing and successful cooperation for the training and development of Ukrainian cadets and marine professionals,” he stated. “This partnership has shown great resilience and successes, especially during recent challenging years. We remain fully committed to supporting KSMA cadets in their training and career development.”
Through this enduring collaboration, KSMA continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Ukraine’s leading maritime institutions and a recognised National and International Maritime Education Centre of Excellence; shaping the future of Ukrainian marine professionals and the global maritime workforce.
