Guyana’s new training institute takes shape

The Caribbean’s first dedicated Marine & Offshore Training Institute is being built at East Bank Demerara in Guyana and will open in 2021. 

Atlantic Ventures Inc (AVI), a wholly Guyanese-owned company with experience in both the mining and marine industries, has teamed up with India’s Alexarya Corporation International, a leading investment and development corporation, to build and manage the new Institute. This joint venture, AtlanticAlexarya Maritime Development Guyana Inc (AAMDG), is not just building the new Institute but also plans to invest elsewhere in Guyana’s fast-growing and previously under-developed maritime sector.

The Institute will be a technical school, teaching practical skills to would-be seafarers in order to meet the highest professional standards required in the ever-changing and always-demanding shipping industry. AAMDG’s Prof (Capt) Suniel Kumar has successfully established similar marine academies in Singapore, Sri Lanka, Dubai and India.

Programs

The three main academic curricula offered to applicants at the Institute are the Pre-Sea Training, Officers Training and Post-Sea Training. Other basic safety training programs will also be offered. A residential facility is available within the premises of the Institute. This facility is compulsory for Diploma/Pre-Sea Training Cadets before going on board training ships. The ages for those interested in registering for the institute are between 16-37 years old and open to Guyanese nationals and those from around the Caribbean.

Upon completion, graduates will be awarded with accredited certificates that will prepare them for careers both on and off shore as seamen, chief officers, captains, or any other jobs in the marine industry – both locally and internationally.

The administrative team, under the direct management of AVI’s Vice President Nicola Whittaker, has already set up secretariat and admissions offices. An awareness campaign has been launched to educate the public on this new development, which in many ways will revolutionize the marine industry in Guyana and the wider the Caribbean.

Scholarships

AAMDG is committed to developing and providing opportunities to Guyanese nationals in support of the government’s agenda to promote local content. As such, the Institute is offering a total of 100 scholarships to be given to young Guyanese interested in pursuing careers in the marine and offshore industry sectors.

Planned projects

The Institute is just one of several planned projects for AAMDG, and the joint-venture expects to invest over US$ 35 million locally within the next five years in maritime-related sectors. In particular, AAMDG aims to construct a new shipbuilding and ship repair yard in Guyana; although details of this project remain sketchy. The tourism sector will also benefit from the company’s significant investment in river cruising and the installation of floating hotels in local waters as well as promoting the Guyanese ship register.

Commitment milestone

AAMDG has met with the CEO of Guyana’s GoInvest, Dr Peter Ramsaroop, ministers of Public Infrastructure Hon. Juan Edghill and Hon. Indar Deodat, and Stephen Thomas, the Director General of the Maritime Administration Department, all of whom have committed themselves to working together with the joint venture company towards the successful development of these various projects.

CBR Certification

The Atlantic Ventures Inc (AVI), represented by Miranda Thakur-Deen and Asif Hamid, is among the very few companies in the Region with ISO 44001:2017 Collaborative Business Relationship (CBR) certification which specifically addresses collaborations between foreign and local companies. AVI is also ISO 9001:2015 Quality Assurance Control (QMS) certified and ISO 45001:2018 Health, Safety and Management (OHSMS) certified.

New ferry

Economic ties between Guyana and India were further strengthened in January when the Ministry of Public Works ordered a new 1,700 tonne ferry from Kolkata’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers in a deal valued at US$ 12.7 million. Once delivered, the ferry will operate on the Corentyne River from Moleson Creek in Guyana to South Drain in Suriname.