The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Saudi Arabia have launched the NextWave Seafarers Project to combat the global seafarer shortage and create job opportunities for aspiring maritime professionals from developing nations. From 2025 to 2026, the initiative will provide 20 cadets from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with a year of onboard training through Bahri Shipping Line. The project aims to establish a sustainable training framework, promote gender diversity, and serve as a scalable model for global adoption, thereby enhancing the maritime workforce and addressing pressing industry demands.

Source: https://www.freightweek.org/index.php/en/latest-news/8947-imo-and-ksa-aim-to-address-the-global-seafarer-shortage