Announcement: Cadets Recruitment 2025.
As part of the annual visits to Ghana by a representative from Hafnia, Mikkel visited Ghana this year. Meetings covered implementation issues concerning the MOU of Hafnia with RMU and also discussions with the Maritime Administration on training, education and certification of seafarers. He attended the graduation ceremony where he awarded prizes to students who had been selected for Hafnia Awards.
As part of the BSM inauguration of the regional centre, a conference was organized. In attendance were the chairman of the board of the Schulte Group, the CEO of BSM, a shareholder of BSM, Christoph Schulte and a cross section of the shipping and maritime industry stakeholders from Africa and Europe.
Mikkel served as a panelist on the topic “He who does not know one thing, knows another: Inclusive Cognitive Diversity is the driving Force Behind Innovation. This topic intended to drive home that the driving force behind innovation is not just gender diversity but cognitive diversity. That everyone has a contribution to make, so how do we ensure that we include a diverse range of people, viewpoints and expertise and harness that to innovate for the future.
There was an impressive turnout by BSM cadets and an inspection of guard by the Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), acting for the Minister of Transport for Ghana. The centre was declared opened by the Minister of Transport for Sierra Leone who is the current Chancellor of the Regional Maritime University.
There was a meeting with the Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) with the Deputy DG in attendance. Points to note:
The DG spoke about Ghana’s interest in leveraging exportation of seafarers as a strategy for employment and foreign inflows. Hence appreciated the role of Hafnia in this.
Mikkel raised the issue of Ghana’s Certification System and the time spent by cadets at school for their OOW, while other jurisdictions did not spend that much time. The DG promised to take a holistic look into the system. He suggested that they may fall on Hafnia for inputs when the need arises.
Mikkel floated the idea of the GMA participating in the Crew Conference in Split in October and DG obliged to the offer.
Lunch with Director General Of GMA
The DG invited Mikkel for a lunch. Here they had the opportunity to relax, fraternize and find new pathways to collaborate for their mutual benefit.
Mikkel met the Ag VC and Management of RMU. The highlights of meeting were as follows:
Implementation of MOU:
Over 40 cadets already employed since the signing of MOU in 2023.
A lecturer has had a tour on one of Hafnia vessels as supernumerary.
2 annual lectures conducted and a third coming off in October 2025.
Seagull online facility with 80 topics donated to the university to address training gaps identified with the employed cadets. The feedback was that this E-learning package was serving the purpose.
Seagull online facility with 80 topics donated to the university to address training gaps identified with the employed cadets. The feedback was that this E-learning package was serving the purpose.
Planned donation of Scanjet and PV valve to the university. This was to be in Ghana by August 2025.
Ag VC’s reaction:
The Ag VC thanked Hafnia for the immense contribution to the university within this short period and requested the support of Hafnia to facilitate the procurement of bridge and engine room simulators for the University.
He also stated that this year, they have a larger number of female cadets and hopes that Hafnia will increase the quota of intake.
Mikkel paid a call to the office of Marlin Marine and Crewing Services (MMCS). Management highlighted that there has been a high level of interest shown by cadets this year hence, quite a large number of cadets were interviewed and currently there are over 100 on database. Hence, the need for an increase in the intake of cadets this year by Hafnia.
Currently MMCS also has cadets from Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya, Morocco and Ethiopia.
He was informed that MMCS was looking out for other opportunities for these cadets however, in view of the interest shown by cadets for Hafnia there will be the need for more openings this year.
The University, based on criteria defined by Hafnia, independently shortlisted a number of students who excelled in Navigation, Marine Engineering Systems and Marine Electrical and Electronic Systems.
Two cadets each in the above subject areas were finally shortlisted and invited to meet Mikkel. Through extensive discussions with these cadets, the best graduating student in the following courses were selected as follows.
Sanyang, Kasim: Navigation
Jallow, Cherno S.: Marine engineering
Addo, Jonathan Nii Quarshi: Marine Electrical and Electronic Systems
The above cadets were recognized at the graduation ceremony with prize of a certificate of award, $500 each and employment with Hafnia.
The quality of the interaction with the shortlisted students was so high that they were promised that the other 3, who could not be given awards, could be considered for employment in Hafnia.
The 19th Congregation of the Regional Maritime University was organized on Saturday 28th June 2025. There was an impressive turnout of the cadets. This was followed with speeches by the Ag VC, Chancellor and Representative of the Minister, Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority.
Central to this function was the admission of degrees, award of diplomas and prizes. Present were the Board of Governors, being the Ministers of Transport from the member countries of RMU. 372 students graduated which was made of 66 receiving Masters degrees, 231 bachelors and 75 diplomas.
The total number of cadets (NS, ME and EE) were 208.
The team was welcomes aboard the Mt Hafnia Mikala by it's Captain, Chief Officer and other officers and taken on a tour of the vessel.