Last week, Ghana took centre stage in the global maritime conversation, hosting a powerful summit event that culminated in the grand opening of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement’s (BSM) state-of-the-art Maritime Training Centre (MTC) in Accra.
Held under the banner “Navigating the Future: Setting Sail Under Africa’s Star”, the summit brought together maritime leaders, educators, policymakers, and innovators from across the globe—united by a shared mission: to unlock Africa’s vast potential as a resilient and strategic force in the global shipping industry.
Maritime future rooted in people, innovation, and unity
The summit opened on 25 June with a compelling call to action from BSM Chairman Ian Beveridge, who underscored Africa’s untapped potential: “Africa is a massive continent, with over 30,000 km of coastline… yet only 3% of the world’s seafarers come from Africa.” He challenged the industry to form deeper partnerships that empower local talent and infrastructure, while positioning the continent as a global maritime hub.
Renowned futurist KD Adamson set an inspiring tone in her keynote, urging the maritime sector to focus not just on technology—but on people, culture, and compassion.
Throughout the day, dynamic panels explored themes such as empowering Africa’s youth, addressing infrastructure gaps, and tapping into green energy potential. BSM CEO Sebastian von Hardenberg reiterated the company’s commitment to operational excellence, diversity, and showcasing African seafarer quality to shipowners: “There is no way to talk shipowners into this; we have to show them,” he stated, referencing BSM’s growing pool of nearly 700 seafarers from the region.
A historic milestone: The inauguration of BSM MTC Ghana
On 26 June, the momentum carried forward with the official opening ceremony of BSM’s sixth global Maritime Training Centre, located on the Regional Maritime University (RMU) campus in Accra.
This cutting-edge facility is designed to deliver advanced training for cadets, officers, and hotel service professionals—serving not only Ghana but the broader West African region.
Eva Rodriguez, Director HR Marine at BSM, adds: “Our new MTC in Accra represents more than just an investment in infrastructure—it’s an investment in people, in skills, and in the future of maritime excellence on the continent. Our journey in Africa will continue, and we remain committed to expanding opportunities and strengthening local capacity for years to come.”
The event drew an energetic and diverse audience, including maritime professionals, government dignitaries, and academic leaders, all committed to shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for Africa’s maritime industry.
