Maldives Institute of Nautical Sciences: Dedicated to building a nation of professional mariners

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Maldives is truly blessed as it exists amongst unpolluted seas and lagoons which are among the few of its kind in the world. Maritime shipping and trade here date back to 300 to 400 BC, back to the arrival of the first settlers from Dravidians.

With the geographical features of the Maldives, we heavily rely on sea transportation. With the establishment of the Maldives National Trading Company in Colombo in 1948, the Maldives began to charter steamships from the Borah traders in Malé and in the early 1950s we saw the first steamship serving the Maldives and the Southern Coast of India.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”16000″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]A fully fledged liner service came into operation with the introduction of two steam-powered vessels flying the British flag that operated between Rangoon, Colombo, Malé and Cochin.

The Maldives shipping industry expanded soon after, taking a fair share of the tea export from Sri Lanka to the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In 1967 the Maldives Shipping Ltd was formed under the helm of Ali Umar Maniku; owning 40 vessels in 15 years and employing more than 2,000 staff. It operated internationally in tramp and liner trades.

The 1990s saw stringent maritime legislation for the safe and efficient operation of ships, the ISO standards and containerisation of ships were in full force. We saw an era of major shipping lines consolidating their position through mergers and acquisitions.

Although the Maldives is not a major seafaring nation at present, the entire economy is heavily reliant on water transportation. Sea lanes are continuously used by vessels ranging from traditional fishing dhonis, speed boats, super yachts to merchant ships.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]The first experience and impression of our highly valued tourists is the boat ride from the airport with its Maldivian Captain and crew. Seaborne activities have increased tenfold from just a simple fishing industry to reach all aspects of the development of this nation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”15999″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The vision of Maldives Institute of Nautical Sciences (MINS) is to endeavour in “making the Maldives the ideal location for small craft personnel training, training and supply crew for superyachts and attract highly educated young brilliant men and women to take careers as officers and engineers in leading international shipping companies”.

Maldives Institute of Nautical Sciences was formed in January 2017 with the proactive founders; Captain Abdul Majeed Abdul Kareem (MNI), Captain Mohamed Nazim (AFNI, AssocIIMS), Mohamed Zaid (Master Mariner, MNI, AFRIN), and Captain Ali Waleed (MNI).

Though at an infant stage, the team of MINS have trained several batches of students for Coastal Navigation – Level 1 and 2 Skippers. Further, the institute is approved by the Transport Authority of Maldives to conduct Crew courses and Marine Mechanic Courses. MINS is determined to contribute towards the development of the maritime industry in the Maldives and make it safe and exemplary. For more information about Maldives Institute of Nautical Sciences, please email info@mins.edu.mv.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]