The Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), a member of the Schulte Group, an integrated maritime solutions provider, officially inaugurated the BSM Maritime Training Centre at the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Accra on Thursday.
The state-of-the-art facility is designed to enhance the skills and competencies of maritime personnel across the region and beyond.
It features a reception area, apartments, an administrative block, a conference room, a cafeteria, classrooms, workshops, a mooring station, as well as a hospitality section comprising a mess room and a galley.
Delivering the keynote address, the Chancellor of RMU, Alhaji Fanday Turay, commended both RMU and BSM for their collaborative efforts in establishing the impressive training centre.
He noted that RMU’s strategic alignment with BSM’s goals and their longstanding partnership reflect a shared commitment to building human capacity for the maritime sector.
He mentioned that, since 2012, BSM has recruited over 600 cadets from RMU, with plans to further increase this number in the coming years following the establishment of its base in Ghana.
“This is a legacy of purposeful investment in people. The facility is equipped to deliver training that meets both current and future industry demands,” Alhaji Turay remarked.
He called on stakeholders to maintain strong partnerships, set high standards, and harness synergies for collective growth.
The Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Dr Kamal-Deen Ali described the inauguration as a symbol of diversity, unity and fruitful partnerships.
“Ghana is proud of its seafarers and we appreciate our partners for creating educational and employment opportunities for our youth,” he said.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to youth development and the broader goal of leveraging Ghana’s potential in the global maritime industry.
“The maritime value chain is vast and Ghana, along with the sub-region, must take greater control and leadership,” he added.
BSM Chairman Ian Beveridge emphasised the organisation’s commitment to recruiting qualified trainers to support cadets and provide employment opportunities for graduates.
He reiterated BSM’s global standing as one of the world’s top-ranking ship managers in the gas, tanker, offshore, container, bulk and cruise sectors and assured continued investment in Ghana and the continent.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of RMU, Dr. Jethro W. Brooks Jr., highlighted the importance of collaboration between academia and industry, not only to produce skilled manpower but also to ensure their effective deployment.
He appealed to BSM to support the university in constructing a new hostel facility to accommodate at least 500 students, citing increased enrollment over recent years.
Following the ceremony, dignitaries toured the new facility and expressed admiration for the high-quality resources and infrastructure, noting its potential to significantly enhance maritime training across the sub-region.