The International Maritime Employers' Council (IMEC) has launched a cadet training scheme in Ukraine.
The programme is in collaboration with the Kherson State Maritime Academy (KSMA).
The agreement will offer cadets training berths on about 15,000 ships operated by IMEC members.
It follows on from a similar training programme operated by IMEC in the Philippines over the past 12 years. There are currently 1,000 cadets training in the Philippines under the IMEC scheme.
In the build up to the agreement, IMEC — together with the International Transport Workers' Federation — invested about $3m in seafarer training in the Ukraine.
The scheme is set to play a role in increasing the supply of labour to the shipping industry.
IMEC head of training and operations Adam Lewis said shipping companies have been calling for a training scheme in Ukraine.
"Our members have expressed their desire for the organisation to commence a more permanent training programme in the country, in recognition of the growing influence that Ukrainian seafarers are playing in international shipping," he said.
Huge benefit
At a time when labour resources are stretched, the move will also help shipping companies secure seafarers. "We feel that it will not only provide huge benefit to the academy’s cadets but will also allow more IMEC members to include the Ukraine as part of their crewing strategies." Lewis said.
The first batch of cadets will commence their sea phase on IMEC members' vessels in June next year.
KSMA rector Vasyl Cherniavskyi said he hoped the move would result in the "deeper integration of Ukrainian seafarers into world shipping industry".
