BSM Launches Smart Academy to Bridge Gap in Seafarer Training

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has launched the BSM Smart Academy, a new educational program aimed at bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical training for future seafarers. With a predicted shortage of thousands of officers in the global merchant fleet in the coming years, BSM is collaborating with maritime universities to address the lack of skilled labor in the maritime sector, particularly at sea.

The BSM Smart Academy offers nautical, technical, and electrical undergraduates from participating universities the opportunity to become designated BSM cadets after completing their first year. This program provides students with both academic education and practical training aligned with industry requirements, preparing them for future roles in the maritime industry.

Through partnerships with universities in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, and potentially South America, BSM aims to recruit up to 100 students in the first year of the Smart Academy program. The goal is to expand the global partner network gradually to tap into new seafarer source markets, ensuring that future seafarers are well-prepared for their cadetship and equipped for leadership roles in the digitalized maritime work environment.

Source .