Liberia Seeks Stronger Maritime Ties with WMU During Swedish Visit
Liberia is advancing maritime cooperation with the World Maritime University (WMU), following fruitful discussions between Ambassador Robert Wilmont Kpadeh, Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and WMU President, Professor Max Mejia today in Malmö, Sweden
The high-level meeting underscored Liberia’s commitment to capacity building, maritime education, and training programs to strengthen its maritime sector. Key proposals included increasing Liberian student enrollment at WMU beyond current fellowships and establishing a maritime studies department through a partnership between WMU, the University of Liberia, and the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI).
Ambassador Kpadeh also called for tailored short-term refresher training programs for senior maritime personnel across institutions like the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), the National Port Authority (NPA), the Coast Guard, the National Fisheries & Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). This will enhance operational efficiency and foster leadership development within Liberia’s maritime sector.
The meeting highlighted the appointment of Dr. Harry Conway, Liberia’s Alternate Permanent Representative to the IMO and Chair of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), as an Adjunct Fellow at WMU. Ambassador Kpadeh described this achievement as a significant step in deepening Liberia’s ties with the university.
Professor Mejia praised Liberia’s pivotal contributions to global shipping, noting its leadership as the world’s largest ship registry and its active engagement within the IMO. “Liberia holds a unique position in the history and future of WMU,” Mejia remarked, reiterating WMU’s readiness to support Liberia’s maritime goals.
Both parties agreed to formalize the proposals through an official communiqué, paving the way for detailed discussions on capacity-building partnerships.
The meeting concluded with a symbolic exchange of gifts, with WMU naming Liberia’s representative a “Friend of the WMU.” In return, Liberia reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with WMU and leveraging international partnerships to boost economic growth and job creation in its maritime sector.
This collaboration reflects Liberia’s dedication to enhancing its Blue Economy and solidifying its role as a leader in global maritime education and innovation.
Source : LiMA
