Bibby expands training centre network

LIVERPOOL-based Bibby Ship Management has opened a new training centre in Ukraine for people that work at sea.

The group has invested more than £1m in a new purpose-built training centre, which will provide basic and advanced skills for seafarers employed in the offshore industry.

The centre will sit alongside the group’s newly relocated crew management premises in Sevastopol and follows a similar development in Mumbai – part of the group’s plan to strengthen its full service ship management operation across the world.

The facility has been accredited by the Nautical Institute and the first students graduated at the turn of the year. Graduate numbers are expected to double in 2010 when makes additional offshore industry programmes available.

Adrian Ashley, training development manager at Bibby Ship Management, said: “Ukraine has a large pool of experienced seafarers working in the traditional and offshore sectors of our industry, so it made sense for us to establish our own manning and training centre here and consolidate our long-standing presence in Eastern Europe.

“The Sevastopol facility aims to enhance the competence and safety-critical skills of those working in the offshore industry and we’re confident it can replicate the success and high standards of our Mumbai centre.”