South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI)

About SAIMI

The South African International Maritime Institute, or SAIMI, is a national institute set up in 2014. It grew out of a partnership between the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), Nelson Mandela University and a network of universities, SETAs, maritime bodies and government partners. Its mandate is to help grow South Africa's maritime and oceans economy, often called the blue economy.

SAIMI does not run ships or hire large numbers of staff. Instead, it coordinates. It builds maritime skills, joins up research and helps create the people the country needs to compete as a maritime nation. For students, that means a bursary from SAIMI points to a whole industry rather than a single employer.

How SAIMI supports students

SAIMI funds bursaries for maritime and related studies at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Its best-known award is the Sindiswa Carol 'Tu' Nhlumayo Merit Bursary. It carries the name of the late Sindiswa Nhlumayo, who headed the Centre for Maritime Excellence at SAMSA. She pushed for maritime skills development, especially for women, and championed the creation of SAIMI. She died in 2016 at the age of 45 while studying towards a PhD in maritime affairs.

The bursary aims to raise the number of qualified black women in a sector where they remain under-represented. Recent calls were open to South African black women, including African, Coloured and Indian applicants, under the age of 35. Funding comes through the National Skills Fund. It covers tuition and textbooks, and it has also covered accommodation and meal allowances. Recipients also gain access to SAIMI conferences and other maritime events, as well as networks that support women in maritime and science.

What to know before applying

Choose a qualification that fits the maritime or marine field. Examples include maritime studies, marine sciences, naval architecture and related engineering or logistics programmes, but check the current call for the approved list. You may study at any recognised tertiary institution in South Africa.

Application forms and closing dates appear on the SAIMI website, and they change from year to year. Recent calls closed in December. Therefore, start gathering your ID, academic record and proof of registration well ahead of time.

SAIMI is a skills coordinator funded through the National Skills Fund rather than a company recruiting staff. As a result, no formal work-back obligation to SAIMI itself applies. Still, read your award letter to confirm the terms.

The blue economy covers shipping, ports, fishing, offshore energy and marine tourism, among other areas. Careers range from marine engineering and naval architecture to maritime law and port management. SAIMI exists to widen the pool of people who can fill these roles, so explain in your motivation which part of the maritime world you want to join and why.