On 14 August 2023, the Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) confirmed the selection of twelve (12) candidates from developing States to benefit from training opportunities provided by Blue Minerals Jamaica Limited (BMJ) in accordance with its obligations under its exploration contract for polymetallic nodules with ISA.
Four (4) geotechnical-based training placements wherein trainees will focus on the collection and conservation of geotechnical samples:
- Sinead Jahoor from Trinidad and Tobago
- Enang V. Enang from Nigeria
- Theresa Kong from Malaysia
- Mohamed Masum from Bangladesh
Four (4) biology-based training placements wherein the trainees will focus on the collection and conservation of marine/biological samples:
- Hettiwaththage Pushpamali from Sri Lanka
- Laureana Nepomuceno from the Philippines
- Princess Mae Cenà from the Philippines
- Gerico Gibe from the Philippines
Four (4) geophysical/geochemical-based training placements wherein trainees will focus on the collection and conservation of geophysical/geochemical samples:
- Ekemini Williamson from Nigeria
- Bernard Sirma from Kenya
- Mahomed Mounjouohou from Cameroon
- Michael Kangútu from Kenya
The cruise will be organised by BMJ in collaboration with Allseas Group S.A., a world-leading contractor in the offshore energy market. As experts in the design and execution of large and complex offshore projects, Allseas Group S.A. is constantly pushing the boundaries of technology. The training will occur onboard the Hidden Gem vessel with port of call Manzanillo, Mexico. Trainees will join the Allseas’ team of experts as they journey to the BMJ contact area in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. The duration of the training will be approximately 6 to 10 weeks in Q4 of 2023. (Dates may be subject to change, candidates will be provided with as much prior notice as possible).
One of the Voluntary Commitments registered by ISA at the 2017 UN Ocean Conference (#OceanAction 40768) and reiterated in 2022 was ‘Enhancing the role of Women in Marine Scientific Research through Capacity Building’ – As partner of the Women in Deep-Sea Research (WIDSR) project, BMJ has pledged to allocate 50% of the training opportunities to qualified women applicants.
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All contractors with ISA have a legal obligation to provide and fund practical training opportunities for personnel from developing States and those of ISA, including the participation of such personnel in all activities in the Area which are covered by the contract.
The legal basis for the requirement stems from the provisions of UNCLOS and the 1994 Agreement and is set out in the standard terms of exploration contracts signed with ISA.
Please visit this page to know more about the Contractor Training Programme.
For additional information, please contact:
Ms. Annekah Mason, Training Coordinator, ISA, training@isa.org.jm