German Ship Repair Jamaica Limited (GSRJ) has been making progress in generating employment and providing training opportunities for Jamaicans since its establishment in November 2023. The entity specialises in repairing sea vessels while enhancing Jamaica’s maritime industry in accordance with international standards.
“As the first of its kind in Jamaica, we encountered various obstacles along the way. From sourcing skilled labour to establishing efficient operational processes, every step was a learning experience,” stated Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lieutenant Colonel Martin Rickman.
Initially, GSRJ employed around 45 expatriates to train local workers; however, Rickman noted that this number has since decreased to 13, emphasizing that part of the entity’s mission is to grow and upskill local talent.
“On a daily basis, there are about 100 workers on the ship repair site, including consultants, experts, locals and [expatriates],” the CEO mentioned, expressing pride in GSRJ’s progress in creating job opportunities.
A key factor in GSRJ’s success lies in the partnerships it has formed with institutions like the HEART/NSTA Trust and the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) to facilitate training for employees. “We have introduced a brand-new certification programme which will make our employees internationally marketable,” Rickman shared.
This programme is designed for skilled workers, such as welders and mechanics, who are already adept at working with smaller engines and tools, and trains them to apply their expertise to larger engines that require cranes for repairs.
Rickman, who refers to the training opportunities as “brain gain,” believes these initiatives will benefit Jamaica. “I’m not worried about brain drain. My goal is to train way more professionals than I’ll ever need, so I’ll always have a steady workforce,” he stated.
In its inaugural year, GSRJ serviced 13 dry dock and 17 wet dock vessels, setting a high standard for operational efficiency and quality service delivery. With approximately 16,000 vessels operating daily in the Caribbean, of which around 3,000 seek repairs, Colonel Rickman pointed out that Jamaica currently services less than two percent of these.
“My top priority now is to drastically improve efficiency so that we get to a place where we are servicing at least 24 dry dock vessels per year,” he shared.
The turnaround time for repairs is also a significant focus for the CEO.
“We will have weather and climate-related events from time to time. But one of my goals right now is to ensure that we meet the timeline we give to our clients,” he explained.
Rickman underscored the importance of delivering on promises in the ship repair business, noting that this can influence whether clients return or seek services elsewhere.
