International Maritime Group: Investing in Georgia’s Maritime Future
Creating a sustainable environment for the maritime industry is an important enabler for fostering trade, economic growth and general prosperity in Georgia. Opened in 2008, International Maritime Group (IMG) has lately become the country’s most significant community in the maritime field and gained its authenticity at the international level too. Over the years, IMG has gained respect by providing their partners with quialified crew, comprehensive support and immaculate service contributing to the Georgian maritime industry. IMG is doing its best to maintain and strengthen maritime traditions in Georgia and promote its seafarers at an international level.
To learn more about IMG, GEORGIA TODAY talked to Dias Jalagania, the CEO of the company.
Tell us about the company. What values does IMG uphold?
IMG is a company established to serve the international industry in the supply of ship’s personnel. Our special focus is to provide access to maritime education and training in order to supply the best qualified seafarers. Our work ethic involves managing all available resources to continually increase the number of Georgian seafarers.
The maritime industry is unique, and for the people working in it, it is often much more than a job: it’s a passion. We have a true understanding of the industry and will guide an aspiring seafarer seamlessly through the training process. IMG cooperates with many foreign partners, including European ship-owners. Only the most carefully-selected and determined seafarers will find employment with good European shipping companies.
Enthusiasm, sincerity, identification of objectives, commitment and a strategic approach are some of the crucial factors needed to achieve success in the maritime industry. We aim to consistently uphold these values and detect and foster them in impassioned seafarers as well.
What is the situation now in the Georgian maritime industry? Is there space for development?
The maritime sector, often acknowledged as the life blood of global economy, is of crucial importance to modern societies. Nevertheless, the general public has a limited perception and appreciation of its influence and role as an essential element in terms of social and economic development, and as one of the best sources of high-salary employment. To raise awareness and promote maritime careers in Georgia we are now implementing the "Adopt A Ship" school program, a free educational program initiated by the Cyprus Shipping Chamber.
The Black Sea, strategically located between Europe, Asia and the Middle East, can be seen as a vital connecting hub. With due effort, Georgia can soon become one of the key players in the region. There are concrete initiatives that Georgia can take to further facilitate sustainable development of the maritime industry and with it, benefit the Georgian economy as a whole.
It is true that Georgia’s maritime sector is evolving, which on one hand has been reflected in the increasingly successful employment of Georgian seafarers, and on the other hand in the development of Georgia’s port infrastructure and services. Georgia is among the countries on the IMO’s white list and Georgian certificates of competency are recognized by 50 states, among them 19 EU members. With continued effort and the right perspective, the industry can be turned into one of the crucial economic treasures for Georgia.
What makes a Georgian seafarer interesting for the international shipping market? What are their competitive advantages?
Seafaring is one of the world’s oldest professions. Over the past half century, employment patterns have shown the challenge the seafaring profession faces today, namely a shortage in the supply of skilled seafarers worldwide. What distinguishes Georgian seafarers and makes them interesting for the world is high professionalism and deep-rooted leadership skills.
IMG is working in the direction of increasing the number of competent seafarers. We have now developed a special program that will allow us to increase the number of jobs and thereby provide an opportunity for financial development to all regions of Georgia. We are now focused on the search for resources to finance a program of free maritime education.
Tell us about IMG’s future plans.
For us, crewing is not only a business but also a national cause. One of our most significant initiatives is aimed at offering free study options for young aspiring seafarers’ from Abkhazia and Ossetia, which would help foster the relationship between Georgia and its breakaway territories. I believe that creating tangible opportunities for our fellow young people in these regions would be the only definite and fruitful step toward reconciliation.
We are also cooperating with certain companies to create employment opportunities for women as housekeepers on board. This would further increase high-salary employment opportunities and benefit Georgia’s economy as a whole.
Our more distant goals include the establishment of a Maritime University that will offer free specialized education and training for Georgian seafarers; once they find employment, they will have a chance to re-pay this via small amounts taken from their salary on a monthly basis.
The opportunities which the industry is facing requires long-term efforts from the various players. Creating a sustainable environment for the development of maritime industry should be a joint goal. We are always looking to deepen cooperation and establish partnerships with the government, international associations and private corporations to facilitate the exchange of know-how and together promote a healthy maritime industry in Georgia. Together we can ensure the efficient and sustainable development of Georgia’s maritime industry.
Photo: The picture taken at Orion Bulkers, Hamburg, Germany