The Senegalese maritime sector, essential to the economy and employment, benefits from the supervision and dynamism of the National Agency for Maritime Affairs (ANAM). Guest of the Kenkeliba morning show on RTS 1, El Hadji Aboubacar Cyrille Joseph Faye, Director of the Seafarers, Maritime Work and Training Service, detailed the missions of the ANAM, its particularities, as well as the opportunities offered in this area.
ANAM was created in June 2009 to compensate for the organizational inadequacies of the old structures, in particular the Directorate of the Merchant Navy and the Directorate of Inland Maritime Transport and Ports. This merger made it possible to centralize responsibilities and increase efficiency in: Ship administration: All ships operating in Senegal must be registered according to standards guaranteeing safety and compliance. Management of seafarers: ANAM supervises professions on board ships, proposing clear regulations to encourage vocations and meet the growing needs of the sector. Maritime training: It promotes certified training in accordance with international standards to allow a greater number of Senegalese people to benefit from the opportunities offered by the maritime sector.
The Senegalese maritime sector includes several types of navigation: maritime transport: for the transport of goods and passengers. Industrial fishing is a key activity for the local economy. Leisure navigation including cruises. Offshore linked to the transport and exploitation of hydrocarbons.
El Hadji Aboubacar Cyrille Joseph Faye stressed that, whatever the activity, specific conditions provided for by law govern access to professions on board ships, and ANAM offers support for training and the necessary documentation.
According to him, one of the particularities of Senegal lies in the exploitation of the potential of foreign ships operating in its waters. ANAM plays a crucial role in the registration of boats, whether Senegalese or foreign, following clear legal provisions.
He specified that Senegal is also included on the white list of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a guarantee of compliance with international standards and an asset for attracting foreign investors and operators.
ANAM works in collaboration with actors such as the national navy and the fisheries protection and surveillance directorate to guarantee safety and surveillance at sea. Internment, the agency is structured into specialized directorates to manage the safety of ships, crew, maritime transport, and strategic projects.
The discovery of oil and gas has created new opportunities in the maritime sector. ANAM supports this dynamic by offering training for emerging professions and strengthening the skills of executives such as commanders, chief engineers, and officers, but also sailors.
ANAM has specialized schools offering diploma training for professions related to ship management, mechanics and fishing. These courses are certified and aligned with international standards, allowing graduates to compete with their peers in developed countries.
ANAM has established itself as a pillar of the Senegalese maritime sector. By combining administration, training and regulation, it is part of a dynamic of modernization and sustainable development. For Mr. Faye, the maritime sector is an opportunity for the future, offering promising prospects for reducing unemployment and strengthening the Senegalese economy.
