Guyanese company Atlantic Ventures Incorporated (AVI) has partnered with an Indian investment and development company to launch a US$35 million undertaking which will see the opening of “the Caribbean’s first Marine and Off-Shore Training Institute”.
The partnership with the Alexarya Corporation will also see the eventual development of a “ship yard and dry dock to be used for ship building, ship repairs and complete ship management” within the next five years.
According to AVI Vice President Nicola Whittaker, the company, “Atlantic-Alexarya Maritime Development Guyana Inc.” is currently drafting a curriculum and tuition packages ahead of an April 10 launch date.
“The programmes offered include Pre-Sea Training, Officers Training , Post- Sea Training and other basic safety training programmes…they are accredited by the Nautilus Register Marine Consortium out of Singapore and hopefully will soon be accredited [by the National Accreditation Council] in Guyana. We have applied through the Ministry of Education for this accreditation,” Whittaker explained. Graduates, a press statement explained will be able to pursue careers both on and off shore as Seamen, Chief Officers, Captains and merchant marines,
The VP further explained that so far about US$2 million has been spent on the construction of the institute at Friendship, East Bank Demerara and US$1 million on the acquisition of a “simulator ship” to be used in instruction. The institute will be staffed by lecturers from India who are expected to be in Guyana by the end of this month and will be open to applications from persons within the Caribbean Region who are between the ages of 16 and 37 years.
Guyanese candidates will be eligible for 100 full scholarships inclusive of boarding at the residential section of the facility. In fact according to the statement issued yesterday residency at the institute is compulsory for Diploma/Pre- Sea Training. Over the last week AAMDG has met with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GO- Invest Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, Ministers of Public Infrastructure Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar as well as with Stephen Thomas, the Director General of the Maritime Administration Department.
Speaking with Stabroek News yesterday, Ramsaroop confirmed that both the local and foreign partners of the venture had interacted with GO-Invest and secured the initial support of the government. “We have not approved an investment agreement as yet but we have met with them and the project is valid,” he said. Whittaker noted that a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the two companies and the project is moving swiftly ahead.
In the long-term, forays will be made into the tourism sector through the
development of river cruises and floating hotels in Guyana’s waters, along with worldwide vessel registrations being done through the company.
It was stated that the principal of the Alexarya Corporation, Suniel Kumar has successfully established similar Marine Academies in and around Singapore, Sri Lanka, Dubai and India while AVI is among few companies in the Region with ISO 44001:2017 Collaborative Business Relationship (CBR) certification which specifically addresses collaborations between Foreign and Local companies to come together to jointly address the industry needs.
“AVI is also ISO 9001:2015 Quality Assurance Control (QMS) certified and ISO 45001:2018 Health, Safety and Management (OHSMS) certified,” the statement stressed adding that Atlantic-Alexarya Maritime Development Guyana Inc. is committed to developing and providing opportunities to local Guyanese in support of the government’s agenda to promote the use and importance of local content.
“This development project will guarantee over 600 jobs being given to local Guyanese in the welding, fabrication, mining, marine, tourism and education sectors,” they said.
