On 17 February 2022, the Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) confirmed the selection of seven (7) candidates for training opportunities provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation in accordance with its obligations under its respective exploration contracts for polymetallic sulphides and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts with ISA. The selected candidates are divided as follows:
Under its contract for polymetallic sulphides, two (2) internship placements for theoretical and at-sea training:
- Mr. John Olorunfemi Kinrin-ola from Nigeria
- Mr. Ahmed Abdi Adam from Somalia
Under its contract for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts, five (5) internship placements:
Three (3) for theoretical training only:
- Mr. A.J.M. Emdadul Haque from Bangladesh
- Mr. Luis E. Lara from Chile
- Mr. Quadri A. Aderibigbe from Nigeria
Two (2) for theoretical and practical at-sea onboard training:
- Mr. Bunyaminu Isah from Nigeria
- Mr. Md Zakaria from Bangladesh
The theoretical training opportunities under both contracts are scheduled to commence in April 2022 for a duration of 2-3 weeks at St. Petersburg State University, Russia.
The practical at-sea training under the contract for polymetallic sulphides will take place onboard the R/V “Professor Logatchev” in the Russian exploration area for polymetallic sulphides on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The training will be for one leg/stage of the cruise and will be for approximately 45 days.
The practical at-sea trainings under its contract for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts will be carried out in the second half of 2022 onboard a research vessel during the expeditionary work at the Russian exploration area in the Pacific Ocean for one stage/leg of the cruise with a duration of approximately 60 days.
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All contractors with ISA have a legal obligation to provide and fund practical training opportunities for personnel from developing States and those of ISA, including the participation of such personnel in all activities in the Area which are covered by the contract.
The legal basis for the requirement stems from the provisions of UNCLOS and the 1994 Agreement and is set out in the standard terms of exploration contracts signed with ISA.
Please visit this page to know more about the Contractor Training Programme.
For additional information, please contact:
Ms. Annekah Mason, Training Coordinator, ISA, training@isa.org.jm