Institut maritime du Québec (IMQ) of Rimouski, Quebec has signed a partnership agreement with MacDonnell Group of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The agreement will allow both Institutions ™ to offer maritime security programs at the IMQ facility to provide on demand, on-site training for the Quebec region. MacDonnell and IMQ programs have been developed in accordance with the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code and Transport Canada Marine Transport Security Regulations. The agreement will allow IMQ and MacDonnell Group to achieve port and maritime security training objectives by Canadian regulations for ports, vessels, and ferry operators while contributing to a standardization of a quality curriculum.
“We are very pleased with our agreement with IMQ,” said Ralston MacDonnell, President of MacDonnell Group. “We have similar partnerships with Georgian College in Ontario and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Partnerships like this help us all contribute to national training standards that make it easier for industry to meet security obligations.”
Port and maritime security has become a significant element of operations throughout the marine transportation sector. MacDonnell’s standardized security training programs allow port operators, shippers and regulators to develop employees who have a common base of knowledge.
“All training initiatives encouraging the improvement of maritime safety and security are always welcome” said Larbi Yahia, Project Manager, IMQ.