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Tag: Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa

  • MOWCA facilitates $1.3m Indonesian scholarships

    MOWCA facilitates $1.3m Indonesian scholarships

    The Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) has been awarded scholarships valued at $1.3 million by the Indonesian government to support the maritime training of 96 beneficiaries.

    Secretary General of MOWCA, Dr. Paul Adalikwu who confirmed this after signing an agreement with the Indonesian authorities for the training said seafarers from West and Central Africa would be availed the opportunity in two separate programmes. He added that the slots for the training is to be distributed among member states of the organisation.

    Giving a breakdown of the programmes, Adalikwu said one of the courses is a Training of Trainers (TOT) which is based on International Maritime Organisation (IMO) model course 6.09 which refers to training of instructors in the maritime field.

    The second scholarship course, according to the MOWCA SG is a training for Assessment, Examination and Certification of Seafarers based on IMO model course 3.12 which refers to training of personnel from the maritime administrations and training institutions responsible for seafarers certification, as well as officers involved in onboard assessment.

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    Stating the provisional dates for the two training programmes broken into four batches of 24 persons per batch, Adalikwu said TOT programme Batch 1 will run from October 11 to 26, 2025 while Batch 2 will be from November 1 to 16, 2025.

    For the TOE IMC 3.12 training, Batch 1 will run from October 18 to November 2, 2025 while Batch 2 for the second course will hold from November 15 to 30, 2025.

    On the essence of the courses, the MOWCA SG said: “The objective of the training programmes is to ensure that Certificates of Competence issued to seafarers from MOWCA region are fully compliant with the provisions of Standard of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention. The scholarships cover the total cost of the programmes, including air transport, accommodation, tuition fees, and perdiems. for the TOT IMC 6.09 programme”

    Adalikwu also confirmed that MOWCA ministers in charge of maritime transport have been duly informed about the training opportunities and eligibility conditions which include drug free confirmation tests for applicants. He added that the ministers have also been advised to make applicants submissions not later than September 15, 2025.

    The attraction of this human capacity grant from the Ministry of Transport, Indonesia is another milestone accomplishment by the SG aimed at boosting the competence of seafarers and instructors in the region.

    MOWCA’s academic institutions — the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Ghana, the Regional Academy of Science and Technology of the Sea (ARSTM), and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron — are also set to benefit from the scholarship opportunity.

  • MOWCA partners IHO to advance hydrographic standards

    MOWCA partners IHO to advance hydrographic standards

    …restates capacity for regional coordination

    The Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) has entered into a strategic partnership with the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) to promote globally accepted hydrographic standards and strengthen regional coordination. 

    Secretary General, MOWCA, Dr Paul Adalikwu reiterated the organisation’s ability to coordinate maritime affairs among its 25 member states during his remarks at the joint signing ceremony held in Abidjan on January 17.

    Adalikwu emphasised the importance of a regional approach in establishing a Centre of Excellence for hydrographic training. 

    “As a multilateral body comprising 25 ministers in charge of maritime affairs across West and Central Africa, MOWCA can sustain a viable Centre of Excellence that benefits all member countries,” he stated. 

    Adalikwu revealed that a steering committee would be established under the partnership to drive hydrographic initiatives in alignment with IHO’s objectives.

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    He noted that the collaboration would support the implementation of globally accepted standards, including the adoption of the S-100 framework, which integrates multiple data sources into a unified Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). 

    “Our goal is to enable seafarers from MOWCA member countries to enhance situational awareness and decision-making by combining data layers such as Electronic Navigational Charts, detailed depth information, and dynamic data on water levels and currents,” Adalikwu added. 

    The leader of the IHO delegation, John Nyberg, commended the collaboration and highlighted the organisation’s commitment to fostering regional hydrographic capacity. 

    “We are here to strengthen interactions with relevant bodies and promote effective information sharing within our operational ecosystem,” Nyberg said. 

    He conveyed the IHO leadership’s delight and their dedication to establishing the centre of excellence, which will be located at the Regional Academy of Science and Technology of the Seas (ARSTM), one of MOWCA’s higher institutions for maritime studies.