Our Team

ING. JAVIER BRU

International Marine Experts (IME)

Javier Bru Roncallo is the founder and CEO of IME Marine Group of Companies, one of the largest marine surveying and consultancy companies in Latin America which also has regional offices in United Arab Emirates, China, Paraguay, Spain (Canary Islands), Nigeria and Colombia and representative offices in more than 25 countries worldwide. He has been invited as a speaker on national and international maritime forums and has been awarded several recognitions. Javier earned a Bachelor of Science, graduating cum laude, from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point and specializes in maritime safety, consultancy and logistics and has accomplished with honors several master degrees and specializations in top ranking universities in Panama, Canada, Belgium and France. Javier has exerted his leadership with a strong human sensibility and vocation for social integration and equality. He is a member of rotary club on which he has been able to collectively address and support some the basic needs of the Panamanian society. Javier is a Fellow of the thirteen class of Central America Leadership Initiative and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

Revd Ian Hutchinson-Cervante

Port Chaplain and Regional Director for Latin America, Mission to Seafarer

Revd Canon Hutchinson Cervantes is the charity’s first Regional Director for Latin America. He is I am looking forward to enhancing seafarers’ welfare in the region and encouraging the Anglican churches in Latin America to engage with The Mission to Seafarers’ ministry of hospitality, pastoral care and advocacy.

Mission to Seafarers has appointed Revd Canon Ian Hutchinson Cervantes to oversee  the organisation’s engagement and expansion within the region and continues to ensure that seafarers’ welfare is at the forefront of the industry’s agenda, and by working closely with special partners including ship owners, managers, P&I Clubs and lawyers, we are placing seafarers and their wellbeing at the heart of innovation within
the industry.

Lic. Víctor Luna Barahona

Dean of International Maritime University of Panama (UMIP)

The Dean of the International Maritime University of Panama (UMIP), Professor Víctor Luna Barahona, is a nautical professional and has extensive experience in the field of higher education.

Passionate about the issue of training and comprehensive education of the new workforce required by the maritime industry, Dean Luna Barahona has been linked to higher education for more than 15 years as a teacher and manager of educational policies.

The Dean is a graduate of the old Nautical School of Panama, where he obtained the title of an engineer in Nautical Sciences, with the highest honors.

Its commitment to maritime training translates into the impulse given to the strengthening of the new study plans of the UMIP, so that they comply with international requirements, but based on principles, values​​, and behavior training processes. Essential for the training of future Merchant Marine Officers and workforce that this house of studies for the national and international maritime industry is instructed.

Professor Luna Barahona was Dean in charge of the UMIP on two occasions and held the position of Academic Vice-Rector for more than two years. He was also the Academic Coordinator and later deputy director of the old Nautical School of Panama.

Luna Barahona, first elected Rector of the UMIP, has participated in all the programs and projects that resulted in the modification of the UMIP study plans, as well as in its administrative and academic organization, promoting the development of the Panamanian maritime sector through higher education.

He has a Postgraduate Degree in Pedagogy and a master’s degree in Education and has completed higher specialization courses and training programs on important topics for the development of areas such as Navigation and Maritime Transport, as well as consultancies on the maritime industry in countries such as Japan, Spain, Argentina, and Chile.

He has advanced courses such as Specialization in Management and Strategic Planning, Operation and Safety on Board Tanks; Development, Adaptation, and Implementation of Programs in Universities related to the maritime industry.