Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on Friday afternoon inaugurated the MaritimeMT training Centre in Ħal Far, a 4-million Euro investment by the Malta Maritime Pilots Cooperative.
This centre intends to take maritime training in Malta to the highest level, with excellence as its core philosophy, the cooperative said.
Chief Pilot, Capt. Jesmond Mifsud, said that through this investment, MaritimeMT is strengthening its position as one of the best maritime training centres in the Mediterranean and in Europe.
MaritimeMT, uniquely built in the shape of a ship, is spread over 2,300 m2. It will offer various courses that lead to a number of maritime careers, both those working directly at sea as well as shore-based services.
The investment also includes an extensive update to the two DNV-certified Full Mission Bridge Simulators manufactured by the Dutch company MARIN. The Centre has also acquired a Liquefied Cargo Handling Simulator, a GMDSS Simulator and ECDIS lab, and has built classrooms equipped with all that is necessary for specialised maritime training.
Mifsud said that MaritimeMT is in continuous consultation with Transport Malta, the different authorities as well as Commercial entities serving the maritime sector in Malta; this in view of analyzing the current and future needs of the industry. This communication helps MaritimeMT develop courses that are relevant to these needs.
MaritimeMT will also be providing specialised training for the superyacht industry. This training will help address the different requirements of this very promising sector, including navigation, engineering and hospitality.
Mifsud said that in the face of continuous changes across the maritime industry and the development of new technologies, the Malta Maritime Pilots’ secret to success has always been to invest, train and update its facilities and equipment. This together with developing effective industry-wide synergies with the stakeholders in the industry. He emphasised that the cooperative business model embraced by the Malta Maritime Pilots was also crucial in achieving this success.