Resilience and Recognition: The Impact of Eritrean Maritime Professionals on Kazakhstan’s Caspian Sea Operations

Along the Kazakhstani coast of the Caspian Sea lies the Kashagan region, known for its harsh conditions, with freezing temperatures dropping to – 35 degrees Celsius and high levels of hydrogen sulfide in the air. Despite these adversities, successful oil exploration activities persist, propelled by skilled maritime professionals from across the globe, including Eritrean.

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These veteran Eritrean sailors, who oversee operations at all levels within Caspian Ocean LLP, have quickly gained recognition, culminating in prestigious Best Sailor medals. Established in 2015, the Eritrean seaman Union provides a robust support system for Eritrean sailors, enhancing their competitiveness with specialized training programs.

Having mastered the region’s severe weather challenges, the sailors demonstrate exceptional engineering and navigational skills. Caspian Ocean LLP, placing significant trust in its Eritrean and Ethiopian seafarers, mandates intensive, periodic training to meet international safety standards specific to operations in the Caspian Sea. Yet, a significant hurdle remains: the prohibitive cost and mandatory nature of additional technical and safety-centered courses often drive qualified sailors to alternative careers, due to the unavailability of requisite international certifications and training post-graduation in engineering or navigation.

Caspian Ocean LLP has effectively integrated these skilled sailors through the foundational efforts of Esteemed Eritrean Maritime Stalwarts. These seasoned Eritrean professionals, long-standing members of the company, exemplify a culture of collaboration by guiding and mentoring junior colleagues. Their efforts foster opportunities for growth and development, highlighting the collaborative spirit of Eritrea’s maritime community within the industry. Critical training courses, such as Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET), Further Offshore Emergency Training (FOET), and Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST), are compulsory. These OPITO-approved certificates are essential not only for safety but also for enhancing the quality and effectiveness of maritime operations.We are proud to acknowledge that our Eritrean sailors have frequently been awarded ‘Employee of the Year’ in recognition of their successful completion of training, professional work habits, and daily achievements in their roles.

Today, many of these Eritrean seafarers occupy senior positions within the company and are integral to the economic future of a burgeoning future constitutional great Eritrea.

On this occasion, the Eritrean Seaman Union encourages all Eritreans to consider the maritime profession as a top career choice, reinforcing our vision for the future.