Context
Maritime transport is extremely important for both economic and cultural development in Timor-Leste and for the integration of remote areas into the rest of the country. Expanding the transport infrastructure as a basis for further economic growth and increased employment in tourism, fishing, logistics and transport is a declared government objective and enshrined in Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan. The institutional requirements for establishing a functioning maritime sector have not yet been met, however. The maritime sector already has a great need for trained sailors and other qualified professionals which is likely to continue increasing. The technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system is unable to provide training of sufficient quality for enough people to meet current and future needs.
Objective
The institutional capacities, legal powers and professional expertise of the maritime administration and training facilities for the maritime sector have been developed and comply with international standards and requirements.
Approach
The project promotes the establishment of a maritime administration and greater availability of qualified professionals for the maritime sector. The coastal regions constitute the main project area.
Advisory services are provided to the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communication on creating the necessary legal, organisational and administrative bases for establishing a maritime administration in line with international standards. These advisory services also cover the drafting of bills for adoption and the division of responsibilities between the port authority and the maritime administration.
An expert supports the new maritime administration in developing organisational structures and job descriptions and setting up the ship register. Establishing a ship register will enable Timor-Leste to register ships under its own flag for the first time.
The project supports the ferry operator in managing and operating the Berlin Nakroma ferry, provides on-the-job training for technical personnel and supports efforts to bring ferry operations into line with international standards.
In response to the severe skills shortage in the maritime sector, the project also supports short-term measures designed to meet the immediate need for skilled labour and provides long-term advisory services to TVET facilities on the development and introduction of training courses. In this area, the project cooperates closely with the port authority, the maritime administration that is to be established and various public TVET centres. The Secretary of State for Professional Training and Employment Policy receives advice on integrating the results into the national TVET system, with particular attention being paid to gender equality and conflict prevention issues.
Results
Decision-makers in government and parliament are aware of the need for ratification of maritime conventions. Organisation charts and job descriptions have been created for the maritime administration that is being established and are supplemented by a manual setting out the key tasks. So far, 33 Timorese sailors have been trained for the German-financed Berlin Nakroma ferry. The project supports and advises the port authority’s newly established Maritime Transport Services Department, which is responsible for maintaining and operating ferries.
With advisory support from the project, a bill on the establishment of the national maritime administration has been prepared by a technical working group consisting of management staff from the port authority and the harbourmaster. The process of accession to the international core conventions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been initiated and is being continuously supported by the project.
Concepts and materials for several courses have been handed over to the Maritime Training Unit at the National Centre for Vocational Education. They form the basis of training for crew members of the Berlin Nakroma ferry and employees of the maritime administration.
The project supported both the port authority and the maritime administration in the development of five-year strategic and operational plans (2014 to 2018). A search and rescue plan and a corresponding manual has been drafted in conjunction with the harbourmaster in Dili and the Civil Aviation Authority and presented to the national Disaster Management Committee for approval. The port and oil terminal in Dili received support in assessing security risks and devising a security plan in line with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code). The plan is currently awaiting approval.
The project is working with the port authority and harbourmaster in Dili to establish the basis for the development of a national contingency plan for oil spills.