First maritime institute to become operational

South Africa’s first dedicated national Maritime Institute formed to promote rapid and effective maritime education, training and research in support of the country’s blue economy strategy is due to become fully operational over the next few months.

The South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) has advertised for a chief executive officer to lead the institute.

“We are looking for a driven, seasoned executive with an understanding of the ocean economy, and the necessary expertise and vision to build SAIMI into the premier maritime training and research institute on the African Continent,” says SAIMI steering committee chair Prof Derrick Swartz.

“This an exciting position for someone with the right qualifications and personal drive to build from the ground up one of the most important institutions to be founded as part of Operation Phakisa.

“South Africa’s ocean economy has the potential to create thousands of sustainable jobs across a wide range of sectors.

“SAIMI will provide the knowledge base and stimulate the innovative thinking required to turn the Phakisa vision for the Blue Economy into a reality,” he says.
SAIMI is currently housed at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and will grow its national footprint through regional centres and partnerships across South Africa and the African continent, according to Schwartz.