The West Africa School of Shipping in collaboration with the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) London in the United Kingdom organised a four (4) week training on chartering of ships. The workshop witnessed participants from diverse backgrounds such as law, oil and gas, insurance, agency, marine survey, port operations, logistics, shipping, and freight forwarding. Participants were from various countries in West Africa including Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Gabon, and Ghana.

At the end of the workshop the school organised a graduation ceremony which took place on the 12^th of July 2023.

Present at the graduation was the West Africa Branch chairman of ICS Mr. Frank Tony Eshun FICS. In addressing the participants, he said, “the more informed people we have in the industry, the better our industry will be. Across West Africa our key challenge is that we have people who have no idea about how the industry operates yet they sit and make decisions about this industry, therefore is good that we have industry professionals taking the chartering course.”

The Special guest of honour was the director of The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, London, Mr. Robert Hill FICS who joined online and indicated that “Today’s shipping world is constantly changing and evolving, it seems like every day there is something new or improved or just a completely different way of doing things. However, the fundamentals of shipping have remained the same for many years…that is why it is so important to learn the fundamentals of shipping first and be able to develop and adapt to whatever challenges and changes the shipping industry presents to you.”

The Executive Director of West Africa School of Shipping Mrs. Gertrude Adwoa Ohene-Asienim disclosed “that the school is poised to fill the training void in the maritime industry by providing professional maritime education in specialised areas in shipping and oil and gas. She said the focus is on practical knowledge acquisition to improve on output and improve efficiency at the workplace”.

Participants received certificates of attendance from ICS, London.