Dubai-based ship management company Maryam Shipmanagement and Sharjah Maritime Academy have formalised a ground breaking partnership aimed at bridging the gap between academic training and real-world seafaring experience in the Middle East.
“[Together] we’re providing real-world experience that complements the theoretical knowledge our cadets receive,” said Sharjah Maritime Academy’s Director of Training & Commercial Development, Giuseppe Saieva.
The agreement creates a structured pathway for cadets to gain essential sea time aboard Maryam-managed vessels.
Candidates must meet rigorous standards, including:
– Completion of basic safety training per STCW
– Successful completion of three terms in their relevant course.
– Passing the Marlins English Language Testing and Crew Evaluation System assessments
– Meeting psychometric evaluation requirements
The agreement addresses practical concerns that often challenge cadet training programmes, such as financial framework and provisions for comprehensive insurance coverage, ensuring cadets are protected during their onboard training, pre-joining medical expenses, travel expenses, and the like, and therefore removing a common barrier to entry for aspiring seafarers.
The state-of-the-art facilities at Sharjah Maritime Academy are the gateway for training a pool of motivated crew that will join Maryam Shipmanagement’s expanding fleet
Looking Ahead
The initial term of the agreement runs for two years, with provisions for renewal based on mutual agreement.
The partnership comes at a crucial time for the maritime industry, which faces ongoing challenges in attracting and training qualified seafarers.
For cadets at Sharjah Maritime Academy, this partnership opens doors to real career opportunities, while Maryam Shipmanagement gains access to a pool of well-trained, motivated candidates to crew their expanding fleet. It’s a win-win arrangement that could serve as a model for similar collaborations across the region.
“Through this collaboration with Sharjah Maritime Academy, we’re investing in the region’s maritime future, ensuring that the next generation of seafarers is equipped not just with certificates, but with the confidence and competence that only comes from hands-on experience at sea,” said Maryam Ship Management Managing Director Maurice Baker.
