A unique new initiative has been launched to develop a pool of South African merchant seafarers which could be deployed as navigation and engineering officers and deck crew members in the off-shore industry. The new initiative links a well-known Singaporean off-shore operator with Cape Towns marine crewing specialist company, Marine Crew Services.

A new group of young new entrant Merchant Navy officer trainees sponsored by the Sanko Shipping Co of Tokyo have joined their first vessels in the Sanko fleet.

Africa has the necessary resources to train and develop a large pool of seafarers in all ranks for employment internationally through concerted youth career awareness programmes, proper, accredited and audited training programmes and through ethical and reputable manning agencies.

The investment by Oilfield Production Services (OPS) of Luanda in training of new entrant deck and engineering cadets is paying handsome dividends.

Two new staff members who have joined the Marine Crew Services team recently, are settling in well in their new positions.

It is pretty much hard work if one participates in the Marine Crew Services seafarer programs, but not all the time.

A DESIRE to develop skills and capitalise on local opportunity has been the driving force behind Marine Bulk Carriers strategy.

A further group of marine navigating and marine engineering cadets have been offered training berths on vessels of The Sanko Steamship Company of Japan in what represents another milestone for the Cape Town based company, Marine Crew Services.

Hendrik Jan Krikke, fondly known as Henk, entered the MCS/SANKO cadet training programme in November 2005. Three years later he has been promoted to Third Officer.

Four Angolan Navigating Cadets under MCS management passed their oral examination at SAMSA, Cape Town in May and July respectively and obtained their Deck Officer of the Watch (STCW) Class III foreign-going Certificate of Competency.

Cape Town based BEE shipping company, Marine Bulk Carriers, have extended the bulk carrier fleet under its management by two new vessels to further increase opportunities for South African mineral exporters.

African Renaissance Holdings (ARH), one of South Africas leading empowerment investment groups, has acquired a significant stake in two leading Cape Town maritime companies. ARH, which was incorporated in 1993, has a diversified portfolio of interests in mining, aviation, information technology, retailing, and leisure.

Marine Crew Services, the Cape Town based black empowered company which was established specifically to train South African seafarers and place them with international shipping lines, says it fully agrees with President Thabo Mbeki that funds destined for this purpose should not be lying in bank accounts where they are totally unproductive.

What do you do when you need to replace your crew at short notice? You call Marine Crew Services (MCS), the South African company dedicated to placing South Africans in jobs in the maritime industry.

A steady stream of Angolan seafarers are passing through South African training centres and institutions as that country puts its weight behind a programme to create a pool of merchant navy seafarers for both its local off-shore and international shipping industries.

Cape Town based BEE shipping company, Marine Bulk Carriers, has expanded its interests in the international bulk shipping business by adding two more vessels to those already under its commercial management. These agreements require MBC to employ these vessels on a worldwide basis and be responsible for all aspects of freight and vessel operations.

The South African black empowered maritime company, Marine Crew Services (MCS), is celebrating another milestone in its efforts to create new work opportunities for South Africans in the worlds maritime fleets. The first officer to graduate out of the MCS programme has left South Africa to join the 105 000 metric ton oil carrier, Sanko Brave, in the Mediterranean.