How to Get a High-Paying Job on International Ships? Tanzania’s First Private Maritime Academy Just Launched!

Dar es Salaam – Tanzania has taken a major step forward in expanding maritime education with the official launch of admissions at the Dar es Salaam Maritime Training Academy (DMTA), the country's first privately owned maritime training institution. The academy, which has now opened its doors to aspiring young seafarers, will begin formal training programs on April 13, 2026.

The development comes at a critical time when Tanzania contributes less than 1% of the world's seafarers, despite the maritime sector carrying nearly 90% of global trade. This significant under-representation highlights a major untapped opportunity to drive growth in the country's blue economy through skilled manpower in ports, shipping, fisheries, marine tourism and related industries.

Speaking at the announcement, Principal Capt. Ken Michael Chimwejo said DMTA was established to increase the number of professionally trained Tanzanian seafarers and meet rising global demand. “For decades, Tanzania has had only one main institution offering maritime education and training — the government-established Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI) since 1978,” he noted. “This has limited opportunities for many young Tanzanians. In contrast, neighboring Kenya already has 11 maritime training institutions despite starting similar programs only in 2010. We need to expand capacity urgently.”Capt. Chimwejo emphasized that DMTA introduces healthy competition in the sector and broadens access to high-quality training. 
The academy is the first private institution in Tanzania to be fully registered by the

Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) and accredited by the National Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NACTVET) following comprehensive assessments of its infrastructure, curriculum, simulators, training equipment, instructor qualifications and quality management systems.
Importantly, DMTA is also the first private academy authorized to deliver training compliant with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 1978, as amended) under the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This global standard ensures graduates receive internationally recognized certifications, enabling them to compete for jobs on vessels worldwide.

The academy will start with Basic Safety Training (BST), the foundational mandatory course required for anyone seeking work at sea. The program covers essential modules including:

• Personal Survival Techniques (PST)
• Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF)
• Elementary First Aid (EFA)
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR)
• Security Awareness Training (SAT)

“These courses prepare trainees to face the real challenges of working at sea with professionalism, competence and confidence,” Capt. Chimwejo explained. Training will be delivered by highly experienced maritime professionals using a blend of theoretical lessons and practical hands-on sessions with state-of-the-art simulators.
Engineer Ally Diwani, an inspector from TASAC, underscored the importance of increased investment in human resource development to close the national skills gap in the maritime sector. Stakeholders have called for stronger collaboration between government, regulators and private training providers like DMTA to ensure Tanzanian seafarers meet international standards and help the country fully exploit its vast ocean resources for economic growth and job creation.
DMTA's long-term vision aligns with Tanzania's national development goals for 2050, aiming to produce disciplined, competent and globally competitive seafarers who will contribute to the growth of the maritime industry and the wider national economy.Applications are now open. Interested candidates can apply online, view the training schedule and access full program details at www.dmta.ac.tz.
Contact: +255 765 616 129 / +255 766 288 288 | Email: info@dmta.ac.tz (mailto:info@dmta.ac.tz)
Location: Uhuru Street / Clock Tower, Plot #2035, NHC Building (3rd & 4th Floor), P.O. Box 3625, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.This is a golden opportunity for Tanzanian youth to enter one of the world's most rewarding and in-demand careers. Enroll at DMTA and set sail toward a brighter future!

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