Transport and Civil Aviation Minister, Aishath Nahula on Thursday said the establishment of a national shipping company is an opportunity to build human resource capacity in the maritime industry. The minister made the remarks in a statement delivered on the occasion of World Maritime Day, marked on September 24.
In her remarks, the minister said the government’s policy is to train more people in the industry and to give additional training to seafarers already working in the industry. She further noted that the international convention on seafarers will soon be ratified in the Maldives.
Noting that there are challenges in implementing some policies due to the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the minister acknowledged the establishment of a shipping company by the current government and said the progress will help in building human capacity in the industry. She also highlighted the establishment of a cargo ferry service between India and Maldives, which was recently implemented by the government. She further noted the need to decrease the emissions from sea vessels in order to protect the environment, and that a rapid solution is needed to address the issue.
The theme of this year’s World Maritime Day is ‘Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet’.
