Unguja. Zanzibar’s mariners, who have long faced challenges due to a lack of internationally recognised qualifications, are now poised to address this issue thanks to new specialised training programmes.
This significant development follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries and the Dutch company Heroes, aimed at enhancing maritime training at the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA).
The seven-year agreement, finalised on August 16, 2024, is set to elevate the qualifications of Zanzibar’s mariners to meet global standards.
Hamad Bakari Hamad, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, emphasized that the new training will equip mariners with the expertise and certificates needed to work on international vessels.
“Mariners with officer-level qualifications are few, while those at lower levels are more common worldwide. Zanzibar faces a similar challenge, making it difficult for our mariners to compete in the global market,” said Hamad.
The initiative involves collaboration among three ministries. SUZA, under the Ministry of Education and Training, will handle the educational aspects of maritime training.
Proficiency certificates will be issued by the Ministry of Works, Communication, and Transport, which oversees mariners through the Zanzibar Maritime Authority (ZMA).
The Ministry of Blue Economy will coordinate the training efforts, as maritime issues fall under one of the five sectors of the blue economy, alongside tourism, oil and gas, fishing, and maritime security.
The Ministry aims to launch the first batch of training this year, enrolling 20 students at the STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) level. International instructors, potentially from South Africa or India, will lead the courses.
Hussein Nasor Uki, Secretary of the Zanzibar Mariners Association, welcomed the initiative, noting that it represents a positive step for Zanzibar’s mariners.
“Many global shipping companies have been hesitant to trust Zanzibar’s mariners due to a lack of recognized certificates. This training will help our mariners obtain international qualifications,” Uki said. He expressed hope that the agreement’s implementation will yield tangible results for the mariners.
The Zanzibar Mariners Association currently comprises 500 members, including only 15 women. Raya Juma Khalfan, Secretary of the Zanzibar Women Mariners Association (ZAWOSA), highlighted the importance of this training for women who have been unable to pursue maritime careers due to a lack of opportunities.
“There are skilled women in ship commanding and engineering who have been limited by the absence of a training institution on the island,” Khalfan said. She stressed the need for greater opportunities for women, who often face barriers due to misconceptions about their capabilities.
Dr Hashimu Hamza Chande, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Planning, Finance, and Administration at SUZA, expressed optimism about the new training program.
“We are encouraged by the establishment of a new maritime college and the influx of international expertise. This agreement will help us improve our maritime education and better prepare our mariners for the global market,” he noted.
Zanzibar has struggled with a shortage of skilled maritime teachers, but the new agreement aims to address this gap by bringing in experienced experts, thereby enhancing the qualifications of Zanzibar’s mariners and expanding their opportunities in the international arena.
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Air Tanzania Banned From EU Airspace Due to Safety Concerns
Several airports have since locked Air Tanzania, dealing a severe blow to the Tanzanian national carrier that must now work overtime to regain its certification or go the wet lease way
The European Commission has announced the inclusion of Air Tanzania on the EU Air Safety List, effectively banning the airline from operating in European airspace.
The decision, made public on December 16, 2024, is based on safety concerns identified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which also led to the denial of Air Tanzania’s application for a Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation.
The Commission did not go into the specifics of the safety infringement but industry experts suggest it is possible that the airline could have flown its Airbus A220 well past its scheduled major checks, thus violating the airworthiness directives.
“The decision to include Air Tanzania in the EU Air Safety List underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards for passengers in Europe and worldwide,” said Apostolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism.
“We strongly urge Air Tanzania to take swift and decisive action to address these safety issues. I have offered the Commission’s assistance to the Tanzanian authorities in enhancing Air Tanzania’s safety performance and achieving full compliance with international aviation standards.”
Air Tanzania has a mixed fleet of modern aircraft types including Boeing 787s, 737 Max jets, and Airbus A220s.
It has been flying the B787 Dreamliner to European destinations like Frankfurt in Germany and Athens in Greece and was looking to add London to its growing list with the A220.
But the ban not only scuppers the London dream but also has seen immediate ripple effect, with several airports – including regional like Kigali and continental – locking out Air Tanzania.
Tanzania operates KLM alongside the national carrier.
The European Commission said Air Tanzania may be permitted to exercise traffic rights by using wet-leased aircraft of an air carrier which is not subject to an operating ban, provided that the relevant safety standards are complied with.
A wet lease is where an airline pays to use an aircraft with a crew, fuel, and insurance all provided by the leasing company at a fee.
Two more to the list
The EU Air Safety List, maintained to ensure passenger safety, is updated periodically based on recommendations from the EU Air Safety Committee.
The latest revision, which followed a meeting of aviation safety experts in Brussels from November 19 to 21, 2024, now includes 129 airlines.
Of these, 100 are certified in 15 states where aviation oversight is deemed insufficient, and 29 are individual airlines with significant safety deficiencies.
Alongside Air Tanzania, other banned carriers include Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe), Avior Airlines (Venezuela), and Iran Aseman Airlines (Iran).
Commenting on the broader implications of the list, Tzitzikostas stated, “Our priority remains the safety of every traveler who relies on air transport. We urge all affected airlines to take these bans seriously and work collaboratively with international bodies to resolve the identified issues.”
In a positive development, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been cleared to resume operations in the EU following a four-year suspension. The ban, which began in 2020, was lifted after substantial improvements in safety performance and oversight by PIA and the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA).
“Since the TCO Authorisation was suspended, PIA and PCAA have made remarkable progress in enhancing safety standards,” noted Tzitzikostas. “This demonstrates that safety issues can be resolved through determination and cooperation.”
Another Pakistani airline, Airblue Limited, has also received EASA’s TCO authorisation.
Decisions to include or exclude airlines from the EU Air Safety List are based on rigorous evaluations of international safety standards, particularly those established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
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The process involves thorough review and consultation among EU Member State aviation safety experts, with oversight from the European Commission and support from EASA.
“Where an airline currently on the list believes it complies with the required safety standards, it can request a reassessment,” explained Tzitzikostas. “Our goal is not to penalize but to ensure safety compliance globally.”
Airlines listed on the EU Air Safety List face significant challenges to their international operations, as the bans highlight shortcomings in safety oversight by their home regulatory authorities.
For Air Tanzania, this inclusion signals an urgent need for reform within Tanzania’s aviation sector to address these deficiencies and align with global standards.
The path forward will require immediate and sustained efforts to rectify safety concerns and regain access to one of the world’s most critical aviation markets.
Source: allafrica.com
