Ceylon Chamber of Commerce signs MOU with McLarens Maritime Academy

From left: McLarens Maritime Academy General Manager Capt. Dhakshina Perera, McLarens Holdings Chief Commercial Officer Mahesh Kurukulasuriya, McLarens Maritime Academy Director Shehara Jayawardana, Interocean Energy Managing Director Shanil Perera, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Secretary General/CEO Manjula De Silva, McLarens Maritime Academy Head of Training Yasas Telwatta, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Senior Assistant Secretary General Manori Dissanayaka and Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Management Executive Enosh Perera

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the McLarens Maritime Academy recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding where CCC-appointed surveyors will have an opportunity to undertake training programs to enhance their technical knowhow in the fields of bunker and draught survey.

In addition to theoretical knowledge, the above training courses will deliver on the job training on board in their own fleet of vessels through practical on-field experiences to apply theories learned in the classroom. The sessions will be conducted by internationally-accredited industry experts with vast experience. The programs will run for four days of theory and an on board one-day practical session.

The McLarens Maritime Academy (MMA), a subsidiary of the McLarens Group, will be offering all maritime survey related training in collaboration with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the appointing body for Sri Lankan marine surveyors/assessors as required by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority for its entry permit. 

Being the only maritime institute in Sri Lanka that owns and operates its own fleet of vessels, MMA provide trainees with on the job training on board their own vessels. The trainings are conducted by industry level experts to ensure all trainees are exposed to the highest level of education in this subject. With the unprecedented boom in the maritime industry, coupled with the Government’s vision of becoming a maritime hub in Indian Ocean, the demand for marine surveyors is on the rise.  

McLarens Joint Managing Director Shehara Jayawardena said: “Together with the expertise of Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the 70-year industry experience brought in through the McLarens Group, we are confident, the synergies we create will open a new chapter in the marine training industry of Sri Lanka. It is first time in Sri Lanka that these type of specialised maritime training will be conducted in collaboration with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, and we are looking forward to innovate and carry out more maritime industry specific trainings which would address current and future training needs of the industry.”

CCC CEO Secretary/General Manjula de Silva stated: “We are pleased to be a partner in this unique opportunity on transferring invaluable knowledge in marine training with the expertise of the McLarens Group. McLarens Group has been a long standing member of the Ceylon Chamber. Making a joint initiative to support the country’s long term vision through uplifting the competency and proficiency of maritime surveyors/assessors for the first time in Sri Lanka is a great step taken.”