Sallaum Lines is keen on building cooperative bridges with the Maritime Sciences and Technology Institute MARSATI in various areas, specifically by providing high school graduates with scholarships and job opportunities on board the company fleet. This milestone will be in the interest of young Lebanese graduates who require the support to work in the maritime sector and onboard a global company.

Looking ahead to 2026, the supply/demand gap in skilled maritime officers is expected to widen to a deficit, equating to over 5% of the global officer pool, the highest level since 2013, according to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). The primary reason for this is the slowdown in officer supply as the attractiveness of a career at sea is diminishing. Adding to that, a large percentage of the youth is unaware of the vast career opportunities the maritime industry offers.

In the case of Lebanon, a majority of youth have been suffering from a long-term socio-economic crisis, along with a massive explosion in Beirut’s port, the COVID-19 pandemic, and severe inflation. Thus, the youth unemployment rate has reached its greatest level in the recorded period, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), at 29.6%.

To address those challenges, Sallaum Lines, through its CSR initiatives, and in collaboration with Sallaum Humanity Foundation and Maritime Sciences And Technology Institute MARSATI, has launched the Maritime Youth Program. The following program aims to spread awareness about the maritime industry and its tremendous opportunities as well as provide educational scholarships for high schoolers and university students who want to pursue education in the Maritime field based on predefined criteria.

The program aims to provide young people with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in seagoing careers and develop their skills in areas such as navigation, engineering, and safety. This program will be open to students aged 18-25 who have an interest in pursuing a career in the maritime sector. Participants will receive training from experienced professionals and have access to state-of-the-art equipment.

Moreover, Sallaum Lines in partnership with Sallaum Humanity Foundation has been providing full scholarships for Lebanese high schoolers and university students, estimating a total number of 2000 students as direct beneficiaries from the Educational Program.

Creating a supply of educated and skilled human resources will necessitate the need for a job market that is able to hire them. Sallaum Lines’ efforts will play a major role in increasing the students’ chances of finding new job opportunities and meeting the requirements of the labor market. Individuals will be offered the chance to work internationally at Sallaum Lines or other organizations.

"We are delighted to launch this program on the International Day of Education. We believe that it is our responsibility to invest in the future of our industry by providing young people with the opportunity to gain valuable experience and develop their skills. We hope this program will help create a new generation of maritime professionals that are ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow."
Said Sami Sallaum, President of the Board.

Following the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4, Sallaum Lines recognizes the immense need for inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities; by spreading awareness about the various careers in the maritime and shipping industry and training crewmembers for onboarding.

To guarantee program sustainability, Sallaum Lines offers seafarers career opportunities in the maritime sector on an international level. This inherently promotes inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all, UN SDG8.

The program is part of Sallaum Lines’ commitment to promoting education and providing opportunities for young people. It is also an effort to ensure that future generations are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in this rapidly changing industry.

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	Issue 82 of Robban Assafina (Nov./Dec. 2022)