POINTE BLANCHE: Port St. Maarten has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Antwerp, Belgium, with Global Port Training to set up a training outpost in St. Maarten. “The signing of the MOU signified succession planning and resourcing which is key to the cargo business at the Port,” said Port St. Maarten’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo said in a press statement.
Global Port Training was represented at the signing by CEO and board member Lode De Bock and Director at Global Port Training Alain Roels.
Global Port Training offers customised solutions for every project is unique, developed and based on the customer’s expectations. The solutions both align with the company’s as well as the target group’s objectives. The company is specialized in launching new maritime activities and/or companies. “This is simply the start of something much bigger whereby Global Port Training being a well-established player in Port operations worldwide, for example in countries such as Oman, Togo and Iran. This relationship will create further footprints within our region and within certain target markets within the Caribbean Basin, as well within the North and Latin America markets,” said Mingo. The technology to be used includes camera headset simulators as well as physical hardware, and this will save companies money.
“By having this joint venture with Port St. Maarten and creating a landmark training outpost centre in St. Maarten, we have set the stage for human resource development and excellence in training,” Mingo said. The partnership between Port St. Maarten and Global Port Training started back in 2009/2010 with the certification training of the port’s first crane operators when the crane company was formally established.
The signing of the MOU ties into the human resources development of staff at Port St. Maarten and beyond. On July 18, the Port welcomed three new recruits to its division St. Maarten Harbour Crane Company after they completed their certification course to join the crane team.
Four senior crane operators also took a refresher course and training. The trainings started on June 13 and were completed July 18, with all crane operators receiving certification. The training was carried out by Global Port Training certified crane trainer Gunther Dierckx. The training took place using the Port’s Gottwald Mobile Crane, the largest in the North Eastern Caribbean. Also present at the signing were Chairman of the Port Board Humphrey Mezas, Terminal and Cargo Operations Manager Roger Lawrence, and General and Governmental Affairs Liaison Bertrand Peters.
