IMO’s “Next Wave” New Drive Opens Clearer Pathways for Future Seafarers

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is scaling up its NextWave Seafarers initiative to strengthen access to onboard training for aspiring maritime professionals, particularly in developing countries where opportunities for sea-time experience remain limited.

Building on a pilot partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and national shipping line Bahri, the programme was designed to address a long-standing challenge in maritime education: the gap between classroom qualifications and the practical sea service required for certification. The pilot demonstrated that coordinated collaboration between governments and industry can effectively create real training pathways for cadets.

The expanded phase will broaden participation to candidates from developing nations, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). It also seeks stronger industry engagement, with more shipping companies expected to offer cadet berths to support structured sea-time training opportunities.

A key focus of the initiative is inclusivity, with IMO promoting greater gender balance in seafaring careers and encouraging wider participation from underrepresented groups in the maritime sector. The programme also supports long-term professional development through enhanced cooperation between training institutions, administrations, and industry stakeholders.

IMO says the initiative reflects a wider effort to secure the future maritime workforce by ensuring that talent is matched with practical opportunity at sea, strengthening both global shipping resilience and access to maritime employment.

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