A groundbreaking initiative led by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) aims to address the global seafarer shortage while creating career opportunities for aspiring seafarers from developing nations.
The NextWave Seafarers Project was formally launched with the signing of a Letter of Agreement between Kamal M Al Junaidi, permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the IMO, and Jose Matheickal, director of the Technical Cooperation and Implementation Division (TCID) of the IMO.
Running from 2025 to 2026, the project will provide 20 cadets from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (Sids) with one year of onboard training through Bahri Shipping Line, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading maritime companies.
The goal is to develop a scalable training model that can be adopted globally, encouraging more countries and shipping lines to participate.
It aims to establish a sustainable, onboard cadet training framework to develop, upskill, and retain future seafarers and to address key barriers preventing LDCs and Sids cadets from entering the industry, including access to training placements and financial support.
Promoting gender diversity by actively encouraging women cadets to join the programme is another key objective.
With 1.9 million seafarers ensuring the movement of over 80% of global trade, the maritime industry faces an urgent workforce challenge, particularly a shortage of officers, as demands on maritime transport grow.
Through its cooperative framework between IMO, member states and shipping companies, the initiative provides a proactive solution by creating a structured talent pipeline and a steady influx of skilled professionals into the sector.
IMO secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez stressed the importance of strengthening the maritime workforce: “The future of the global shipping industry depends on its people, and this initiative has the potential to transform maritime careers for young seafarers worldwide.”
The NextWave Seafarers Project has invited IMO member states, training institutions and shipping companies to collaborate in expanding this initiative and building a skilled, diverse and resilient maritime workforce.
Designed as a proof of concept, the project’s outcomes will be shared with IMO member states to shape future policy recommendations, enhance global seafarer training frameworks, and contribute to long-term maritime workforce planning.
The IMO will issue a circular letter to member states in due course requesting nominations of cadets from LDCs and Sids through their respective maritime administrations. The circular letter will explain the selection criteria and mode of participation in the training programme.
For more information on this initiative, contact director, TCID, IMO Secretariat (tcid@imo.org).
