BENJAMIN OMOIKE
The Federal Government has been charged to follow the mapping of career paths in the Maritime Industry, particularly the project by Southampton Silent University for the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), and the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF), to ensure efficient utilisation of fresh cadets from the nation’s maritime institutions.
Delivering the 2022 Graduation Lectures on the theme: “Emerging Opportunities in Global Shipping Services – Pathway for Skilled Manpower Development”, to cadets at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Captain Sunday Umoren recommended that such policy should be replicated in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Umoren, who lectured the cadets on a paper titled: “Career Paths In The Global Shipping Industry Through Innovative Approaches”, cautioned the new cadets to exhibit character in addition to their qualifications, to earn trust and confidence of their employers.
He said incorporating digitalisation in the maritime/ shipping industry and other new developments in the field of artificial intelligence, block chain IoT and automation, are becoming increasingly relevant for maritime transport.
“Nigeria should follow ‘The Mapping Of Career Paths In The Maritime Industries’ A project by Southampton Solent University for the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), and the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF), with the support of the European Commission Courses in MTI to Incorporate Digitalisation in the maritime / shipping industry Digitalisation and new developments in the field of artificial intelligence, blockchain, IoT and automation are becoming increasingly relevant for maritime transport. They help streamline existing processes, create new business opportunities, and transform supply chains and trade geography. Despite the potential, opportunities and benefits offered by these technologies, they also entail risks and potential costs for maritime actors in developing countries.
“As port and shipping services are being digitised, data standards will be of equal importance. An example is blockchain applications where several shipping lines have recently begun developing technology solutions in collaboration with leading information technology companies.”
In another lecture titled: “Career Paths and Challenges In The Industry”, Frances Inoma observed that the Shipping Industry is the most globalised one and charged the cadets to choose career that will make them relevant in the industry.
Frances; a Crew/Commercial Manager with Bricks Shipping company listed career challenges in the industry to include industry acceptance, constant industry changes, qualification limitation and industry experience, pressure for fast achievements, work life balance and certification, as well as administration limitations.
She assured the cadets of bountiful opportunities in the maritime industry, waiting to be exploited by the cadets.
Other graduation lectures delivered included: “Emerging Technologies in Global Shipping Industry: Opportunities and Threats For Maritime Workforce”, by Prof Ezenwa Alfred Ogbonnaya of Niger Delta University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Marine Engineering Bayelsa State, among others.
