Ethiopian Maritime Training Institute hosts IMO delegation

Officials from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently completed a fact-finding mission to the Ethiopian Maritime Training Institute (EMTI) in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Juvenal Shiundu and William Azuh from IMO’s Technical Co-operation Division, assisted by officials from the Ethiopian Maritime Affairs Authority and from EMTI, undertook the mission as part of an effort to give effect to this year's World Maritime Day theme of Maritime Education and Training.

EMTI provides specialised training for deck, engineer and electro-technical officers for ships, in compliance with the IMO’s STCW Convention, which specifies global standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers.

A partnership between Bahir Dar University and the US-based investment firm, YCF Group, EMTI currently graduates up to 500 cadets per year, and plans soon to expand its capacity to train over 1,000 seafarers annually. After completing a rigorous training programme at the maritime academy, EMTI cadets begin their careers as junior crew members with leading shipping companies on a global basis.

The demand for Ethiopian seafarers has grown rapidly in recent years, and EMTI is the exclusive marine officer training academy in Ethiopia. During a recent visit to EMTI in Bahir Dar, the Honorable Patricia M Haslach, the US Ambassador to Ethiopia, said, “The US has an old and cherished maritime heritage, and we are pleased and excited to help foster a maritime tradition in Ethiopia as well.”

Pini Shwartz, CEO of EMTI, says, “We are greatly encouraged by the interest shown in EMTI by IMO, whose representatives acknowledged during their recent fact-finding mission the progress made by EMTI since it was set up in 2008. They also offered advice on ways to maintain - and, where possible, improve – the effectiveness of the academy, plus assistance with the likes of IMO publications and reference books, which is greatly appreciated.

“EMTI has developed rapidly in a relatively short period of time to become one of the largest quality maritime training institutes in the world, with vast potential for further growth. That growth, of course, will be achieved in line with IMO standards and ideals.”

The Ethiopian Maritime Training Institute is a private company established to provide professional maritime training for Ethiopian engineering graduates. Through its elite maritime training programme, EMTI has established superior standards for selecting and training its cadets to become world-class marine engineers. It is as subsidiary operation of the YCF Group which, through its complementary entities, has developed an exhaustive range of regulatory compliance and training services

www.emticorp.com

YCF Group expands management team in Germany

The YCF Group has appointed Carsten Gierga as managing director responsible for its activities in Germany. Suwarie Topaz, general manager, has also been promoted to vice-president, global marketing and business development with worldwide responsibilities.

The YCF Group of companies includes the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the exclusive administrator of the world’s largest quality ship register, EuroFlag Services (EFS), a Luxembourg-resident company which performs ship registration and management services for shipowners seeking to register vessels under the Luxembourg flag, and EMA Manning Agency, a specialised provider of marine engineers and electricians.

Carsten Gierga was previously managing director of Hamburg-based shipmanagement specialist Interorient Marine Services (Germany). He has extensive executive experience of the shipping industry, having also served as fleet personnel manager for various shipmanagers, including Dobson Fleet Management, and E R Schiffahrt. In addition, he enjoyed a distinguished career in the German Navy.

In his newly created role, Carsten will oversee and direct YCF’s operations in Germany. He says, “I am excited at the prospect of working with the YCF Group, which has established itself as the leading name in both ship registry and engineering manning services.”

Suwarie Topaz, well-known in shipping circles, has been leading the ship registry operations in Germany for the past year as general manager of YCF’s dedicated office in Hamburg. She will now begin to focus her attention on overseeing the global marketing and business development activities of the group. Suwarie says, “I am pleased that the YCF Group was able to recruit someone with as much experience and passion for shipping as Carsten has demonstrated throughout his career. He is well-positioned to make our strong team even stronger. We provide a high level of service to the shipping industry and I am proud to take a leading role in spreading our message.”

Scott Bergeron, CEO says, “We are delighted to welcome Carsten into the YCF Group. His specific knowledge of the German maritime sector, and indeed of the international shipping industry, will strengthen still further YCF’s leading role as a provider of high-quality maritime services.”

Regarding Suwarie Topaz’s promotion, Bergeron says, “With Carsten’s appointment, Suwarie will be able to focus her unparalleled skills on her professional passion – developing synergetic relationships that lead to satisfied clients and growth in business.”

www.ycfgroupllc.com