IMSSEA protagonist of the future of maritime industry of Cape Verde and leader of the C7 project in West Africa

From sustainable fishing projects in the Adriatic Sea to the new drainage programs in the Niger Delta, IMSSEA - International Maritime Safety Security and Environment Academy - further expands its sphere of influence, thanks to the active participation in the revision of the new Maritime Code of Cape Verde.

Last May 26-27th has been held the event of presentation of the new Maritime Code of Cape Verde, at the presence of the Italian representatives of IMSSEA, international division of the Italian Shipping Academy based in Genoa. The current Maritime Code of the African country has been in effect for 12 years, and after a long review process, supported and supervisioned by IMSSEA, now Cape Verde can equip itself with a regulatory framework in line with international standards and conventions.

Furthermore, in these months IMSSEA has been chosen to be leader of the new European project C7-WA (Coping with Climate Change as a Cause of Conflict in Coastal Communities of West Africa / C7-West Africa). C7-WA aims to improve the resilience of coastal communities in West Africa to climate change and conflicts, in particular by addressing the interconnectedness between the two dynamics. Throughout the region the impact of climate security change and the harsh management and exploitation of natural resources are threating the territory and the region, and in this context the reduction of maritime bio-resources is also determining interstates conflicts.

The Niger Delta area represents the hotspot for conflicts related to climate change and environmental degradation. In this context, the work of IMSSEA is integrated into the C7-WA project, which over a period of over two years will implement best practices, innovative tools and programs aimed at developing local communities and their socio-economic resilience. Among the active subjects in the project: AAPW - Academic Associates PeaceWorks, HOMEF - Health of Mother Earth Foundation, WANEP - West Africa Networking for Peacebuilding.

IMSSEA expands its capacity building and technical assistance activities in the maritime economy and at the service of the most diverse areas of the globe», Davide Stasi, Director of IMSSEA says. «We are honored to have contributed to the revision of the Cape Verdean Maritime Code and we are ready to take up the great challenge represented by the C7 project, with all its implications relating to the environment and safety». IMSSEA is an international maritime education and training center, based in Genoa, specialized in the training of maritime personnel in various aspects of navigation. Born in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization - IMO, it is the result of the joint efforts of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and it is focused in courses about maritime safety in all its branches.