Fredericia, Denmark | December 4, 2025 – In a decisive move to strengthen its long-term talent pipeline, global oil and shipping group Monjasa has taken full ownership of its vessel crew management, bringing officers and cadets under direct in-house oversight. The shift reflects a broader strategy to cultivate highly specialised maritime professionals across the company’s worldwide operations.
The decision is being executed through Montec, Monjasa’s technical ship management sister company, and directly addresses the worldwide shortage of skilled seafarers. By assuming full ownership of its crewing strategy, Monjasa seeks to strengthen recruitment, enhance retention, and elevate the quality of maritime education throughout its key operational regions: the Americas, West Africa, the Middle East, and Northwest Europe.
Seizing Ownership to Elevate Maritime Quality
Monjasa Group CEO, Anders Østergaard, underscored the strategic necessity of the decision, highlighting the unique demands of the bunkering sector.
“We have made a strategic decision to seize additional ownership of our maritime services. The marine fuels industry is a highly specialised shipping segment, and our long-term ambition is to develop a structured cadetship that promotes high-quality maritime learning opportunities aboard the Monjasa fleet.“
New Global Maritime Partnerships to Build Talent Pipeline
As part of this broader initiative, Monjasa has unveiled three new maritime partnerships in Latin America and West Africa, designed to expand opportunities for hands-on training for future seafarers.
Latin America
- Panama: A new collaboration with the International Maritime University of Panama (UMIP).
- Colombia: A similar agreement with the Escuela Naval de Cadetes “Almirante Padilla” (ENAP).
Both partnerships enable maritime students to complete their mandatory onboard training aboard Monjasa vessels, combining academic learning with practical, bunker-specific experience.
Rasmus Jacobsen, Managing Director Americas, highlighted the company’s regional commitment:
“Panama and Colombia have been key to Monjasa’s maritime development in Latin America. Besides the formal training, these new agreements also reflect our commitment to actively contribute to the local communities we operate in.”
West Africa
- Namibia: Monjasa, Montec, and the Namibian Maritime and Fisheries Institute (NAMFI) have jointly launched Namibia’s first-ever cadetship programme.
Six NAMFI cadets have already embarked on their 12-month training at sea aboard three Monjasa tankers deployed locally in West Africa.
Expanding Educational Footprint
Looking ahead to 2026, Monjasa plans to increase cadet intake and further expand training programmes globally. These initiatives add to the company’s existing partnerships with maritime academies in the UAE and Latvia, including:
- Sharjah Maritime Academy (UAE)
- Latvian Maritime Academy
- Novikontas Maritime Academy
- RTU Liepaja Marine College
With a fleet of around 35 vessels and a ranking as the 7th largest global marine fuel supplier, Monjasa aims to set new standards for training and talent development in the physical bunkering sector—ensuring a future supply of highly qualified personnel to support its expanding global operations.
Monjasa in Brief
Founded in Denmark in 2002, Monjasa has emerged as one of the world’s top 10 marine fuels suppliers, recognized for its commitment to quality and innovation. In 2024 the company reported USD 4.5 billion in revenue, supplying 6.8 million tonnes of marine fuels across 784+ ports worldwide.
Operating across all major time zones—with regional hubs in Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East & Africa—Monjasa leverages a fleet of 35+ tankers and barges to deliver fuel in key global shipping hotspots and hard-to-reach markets, including Singapore, West Africa, Panama, the USA, Northwest Europe, and the Middle East.
Monjasa’s dedication to quality and compliance is underscored by its ISO certifications (9001, 14001, 45001, 50001), and all fuel products meet the latest ISO 8217 specifications, ensuring reliable, high-standard bunker fuel for vessels around the globe.
Source Monjasa