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IN FOCUS<br />
KOTC’s<br />
MAHARAT Programme<br />
prepares a new generation of<br />
Kuwaiti seafarers<br />
by Abdelghani Abughazaleh<br />
Kuwait Oil Tankers Company<br />
(KOTC) was founded over 60 years<br />
ago as a private-sector initiative led<br />
by business leaders from well-established<br />
families of Noukhaza (old term<br />
in Arabian Gulf countries for a ship<br />
captain). In the olden days, the Noukhaza<br />
had to learn everything about<br />
the sea, stars, and pearl hunting by<br />
heart. This heritage was carried over<br />
by the company’s founders and is reflected<br />
on its work approach. KOTC<br />
has launched unique initiatives in the<br />
maritime industry to prepare a generation<br />
of Kuwaitis to be the captains<br />
who lead the Kuwaiti tankers as they<br />
navigate the world as part of an integrated<br />
system established by Kuwait<br />
for the optimal investment of oil revenues.<br />
<strong>Marasi</strong> News had this interview<br />
with Eng. Ali Shihab, Deputy CEO<br />
for Fleet Operations at KOTC. He<br />
was one of the first engineers to<br />
graduate this successful programme.<br />
Shihab highlighted KOTC’s leading<br />
experience in providing training and<br />
scholarships.<br />
Before you tell us about the details<br />
of your competency management<br />
training initiatives, what is the<br />
vision behind this programme?<br />
Kuwait Oil Tankers Company<br />
(KOTC) was established by a group<br />
of industry leaders who realised early<br />
50 JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2018
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