I.M.S.S.E.A. is an international maritime education and training center specialized in the training of senior specialist maritime personnel in various aspects of shipping and related fields.

Courses are designed to be responsive to the needs of public sector departments and ensure the effective exercise of flag, port and coastal state jurisdiction.

I.M.S.S.E.A. has been created in cooperation with IMO and is the result of the joined efforts by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Province of Genoa to reactivate in Italy a centre of excellence capable of providing advanced education, training and technical advice.

I.M.S.S.E.A. is specialized in short and medium courses on global shipping and this makes the Academy an institution providing services for IMO.

What is IMSSEA

I.M.S.S.E.A. is a not-for-profit organisation owned by public institutions (The Province of Genoa and the Liguria Region are the major shareholders), national associations (Ship Agents, Ship-owners, Industry associations and Trade Unions) and includes in the Governing Board, as ex officio members, representatives from the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Education and the Italian Coast Guard.

History

In 1988, the Italian Government and the IMO signed a Bilateral Agreement for Cooperation in professional training and education sector, aiming at delivering courses to be attended by citizens of developing States. Under such agreement, the activity was performed by the International Maritime Academy (IMA), based in Trieste.

The IMA was closed in 2005, even though the Bilateral Agreement was still in place.

Hence, the Italian Government identified IMSSEA as the appropriate organization to provide advanced education, training and technical assistance, consistently with the IMO objectives and goals under the Bilateral Agreement’s framework.

Ambition

It is our ambition to provide the maritime community, and in particular the developing Countries, with a centre for specialised training and with an effective tool for the transfer of knowledge and expertise from the developed to the developing maritime Nations, with the goal of promoting the achievements of the highest practicable standards in matters concerning maritime safety, efficiency of navigation, as well as prevention and control of marine pollution.

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Why Genoa?

I.M.S.S.E.A. is established in Genoa which is the largest port in Italy and one of the most important in Europe. The harbour is annually visited by thousands of ships offering a wide range of vessel size and type for practical training purposes. This scenario provides a supportive learning environment that gives students the best possible chance to succeed.

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