Kherson State Maritime Academy (KSMA) and Marlow Navigation have renewed their annual cooperation agreement for the training and development of Ukrainian marine professionals.
This year, the signing took place at Marlow’s head office in Limassol, coinciding with the company's official 40th anniversary celebrations and the Maritime Cyprus conference.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Science and Education specifically issued permission to KSMA’s Rector to travel to Cyprus for the occasion, indeed a recognition of the importance of the academy in maritime education and the wider economy in Ukraine; with the country being one of the largest suppliers of maritime personnel in the world.
At Marlow, Ukraine represents the largest source for deck and engine officers. Since the cooperation with KSMA first commenced in 2005, more than 1,200 Ukrainian cadets have been trained as part of the programme. Meanwhile, 275 active management level officers presently serving aboard Marlow’s crew managed fleet are graduates from the training programme in cooperation with KSMA in Ukraine.
The signing was also attended by Marlow colleagues from Ukraine, including Managing Director Captain Boris Ezri and Deputy Managing Director, Sergiy Khlopkov, as well as Manager of Kherson Maritime Specialised Training Centre (KMSTC), Captain Sergiy Dudchenko. Also present were Marlow’s top management from head office, including from both the training and crewing departments.