Maritime cooperation signed with Tunisia

Agreement aims at developing
training for maritime transport

The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation signed two cooperation agreements with the Tunisian government in the field of maritime cooperation and research and development.

The first agreement concerned cooperation in maritime transportation and navigation. “This agreement facilitates the entrance and operation of Tunisian vessels in our ports,” said Abdul Hafiz al Qaisi, General Director at the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation.

"The agreement also addressed issues such as maritime safety and environment,” Qaisi said. The agreement called for exchanging expertise and setting strategies for bilateral cooperation. In order to be enforced, the agreement requires the approval of Cabinet and Parliament.

The second agreement, drafted throughout a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministries of Transport of the two countries, allowed the mutual recognition of maritime training certificates. “This agreement allows Lebanese maritime crews to work aboard Tunisian ships and vice versa, without having to get an educational certificate from the other country,” Qaisi said. The MoU was enforced upon its signature.

Another agreement was signed between the Tunisian government and the Lebanese-French University for Technology and Applied Sciences (ULFTSA) in Tripoli. This agreement was signed with ULFTSA’s Center for Research and Studies, which was launched on January 28. “This center was initiated for enhancing research efforts among Arab states in the maritime transportation sector,” said Faten Salhab, Center Director.