English is the language of the shipping industry and the ability to communicate effectively in English is therefore vital to safe ship operation and the protection of the marine environment from shipping.
IMO is currently running a week-long (29 August – 2 September) training course for instructors in maritime English at the Regional Academy of Marine Sciences and Technologies in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Training in English is a requirement of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, which sets international standards of competence for seafarers.
The course is being conducted by Associate Professor Clive Cole of the World Maritime University, based in Sweden, and Ms. Alison Noble of the Maritime Academy of Antwerp, Belgium. Participants from Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco, Senegal, and Togo.