Chiltern Maritime, a cornerstone of the UK’s Merchant Navy training landscape, has officially entered voluntary liquidation as of August 2024. Established in 1986, the company has been instrumental in developing the next generation of Merchant Navy officers, providing high-quality cadet training programs for nearly four decades.
According to a notice published in The London Gazette, the decision to wind up operations was made after Chiltern Maritime could no longer sustain its business due to mounting liabilities. Adrian Paul Dante and Trevor John Binyon from Opus Restructuring LLP, who were appointed as joint liquidators, are overseeing the liquidation.
Throughout its operational years, Chiltern Maritime forged strong partnerships with shipping companies and educational institutions, offering cadets a mix of classroom education and hands-on sea experience. This made the company one of the leading providers of cadet training in the UK maritime industry.
In response to the liquidation, cadets who were enrolled in Chiltern’s programs are being transferred to the Sea Service Training Group (SSTG), ensuring they can continue their education uninterrupted.
So far, no significant issues have been reported with the transfer process, and maritime unions, such as Nautilus International, are on hand to provide support to cadets who encounter any challenges during this transition.
The closure of Chiltern Maritime marks the end of an era for many in the Merchant Navy community, as the company had been a key player in developing skilled officers for the maritime sector. The liquidation has raised concerns about the future availability of such specialised training, although SSTG and other providers will now absorb some of the demand.
Sources:
- The London Gazette The Gazette
- Nautilus International Nautilus International
- Companies House Companies House
