The Nextwave Pilot Project, a collaborative initiative with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the national shipping line of Saudi Arabia, Bahri, has reached an important milestone in April 2025 with the announcement for the call for the nomination of cadets to participate in the project. The call for nominations follows the launch of the Nextwave project in February 2025 which will place 20 cadets from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) aboard Bahri vessels around the world.
The successful candidates will complete a six-month placement, gaining essential sea time required for certification, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bahri fully funding the training programme, covering all aspects including onboard placement, monthly stipends, airfare, visa costs, and daily subsistence allowances. To promote gender inclusivity, participating countries are encouraged to nominate one male and one female cadet, with the objective of achieving an equal composition of seafarers.
Seafarers from SIDS and LDCs often encounter significant challenges when entering the maritime industry. High financial costs, difficulty in securing ship placements, and limited access to required sea time present serious obstacles. As well as providing places onboard Bahri ships, the project will also conduct critical research into the barriers affecting entry into the industry including the underrepresentation of SIDS and LDCs. Nextwave directly addresses this issue by offering practical solutions such as financial sponsorship and guaranteed training placements, thereby unlocking new opportunities for seafarers from under-represented regions to gain critical experience and enter the global workforce as well as address barriers to entry affecting the industry.
The initiative further seeks to establish a sustainable model for expanding access to seafarer training opportunities by encouraging member state participation and national and international maritime company participation in the future. Saudi Arabia remains committed to empowering seafarers and helping them reach their full potential through international cooperation.
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As Saudi Arabia’s national shipping company, Bahri plays a pivotal role in the success of this project and highlighting the importance of promoting seafarers and addressing the global shortfall in seafarer numbers, operating a world-class fleet recognized for its high safety standards and history of investment in seafarer support. Cadets placed aboard Bahri vessels will benefit from access to cutting-edge maritime technologies, international shipping routes, and hands-on mentorship that prepares them for long-term careers at sea. By actively participating in the training and upskilling of cadets, Bahri is helping to create the framework to attract, retain, and empower the next generation of global seafarers.
The announcement of the Nextwave Pilot Project nominations stands as a reflection of Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to capacity-building in the maritime sector. By investing in seafarers from SIDS and LDCs, Saudi Arabia is driving meaningful change in the maritime industry. Through its work to break down barriers of entry, The Kingdom is actively working to tackle the issues of the global seafarer shortage and provide wider support to seafarers less represented in the industry.
