Doha, Qatar: Maritime engineering and navigation are among the most sought-after specialisations in Qatar’s maritime sector, making them essential to developing a highly qualified national workforce to support the country’s expanding maritime industry.
Acting Head of the Maritime Awareness Section at the Ministry of Transport Jaber Al Mariziq, said the two disciplines were selected because they are directly linked to ship operations, maritime operations management, and the operation of technical systems.
Speaking to Qatar TV recently, he stressed that developing national expertise in these fields is vital to meeting the sector’s current and future workforce requirements.
Al Mariziq explained that the Ministry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, has established dedicated academic pathways that prepare students for careers in the maritime sector. These programmes are designed to equip Qatari talent with the knowledge and practical skills needed to implement the regulations and conventions issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) through their work at the Ministry of Transport and across the wider maritime industry.
He noted that the maritime transport sector is one of the country’s most strategic and dynamic industries, creating a continuous demand for qualified professionals as development projects and technological advancements accelerate.
“The need for specialised national maritime cadres continues to grow alongside the rapid expansion of this vital sector,” Al Mariziq said, adding that investing in national talent will strengthen Qatar’s maritime capabilities while providing young Qataris with meaningful career opportunities and the chance to make a lasting contribution to one of the nation’s key economic sectors.
The initiative reflects the strategic importance of the maritime sector as one of Qatar’s priority industries. It seeks to ensure that the country has a steady pipeline of qualified national professionals capable of meeting both current and future workforce demands, particularly in ship operations, marine facilities, and the management of a wide range of maritime operations.
It also aims to prepare scientifically and practically qualified national cadres in maritime engineering and maritime navigation while addressing the workforce requirements of government entities operating in the maritime transport and logistics sectors. In addition, the initiative supports Qatarisation plans for specialised technical and operational positions and promotes the long-term sustainability of the maritime industry by building a strong base of national expertise.
Participants in the programme will benefit from scholarships to study at accredited universities and higher education institutions, along with opportunities for specialised practical training during their studies in coordination with relevant entities. Graduates will also be offered employment opportunities in accordance with the applicable regulations and procedures, providing a clear pathway from education to professional careers in the maritime sector.
The initiative reflects the Ministry’s commitment, in partnership with the Ministry of Transport, to investing in Qatar’s national human capital by attracting talented students and preparing them academically and professionally in line with the highest standards. She noted that the programme is designed to respond to labour market needs while enhancing the competitiveness of the national workforce.
The strategic initiative is intended to support the maritime transport sector, one of the country’s increasingly important economic sectors, by preparing a new generation of specialists capable of contributing to its development, improving its efficiency, and ensuring its sustainability in line with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.
