Maritime Training News

Seagull Maritime announced that they have acquired a majority of the shares in Tero Marine. Tero Marine, headquartered in Bergen, Norway, has developed fleet management software for the shipping industry for more than three decades. The company’s flagship, TM Master, is recognized as one of the leading brands in the business. Today, TM Master is a crucial tool for shipowners all over the world, not only as an instrument for planned maintenance (and asset management), but also as a business intelligence resource.Tero Marine is growing fast and has currently more than 55 employees…

South Florida’s marine industry is a $12 billion/year economic engine that provides the region with 142,000 careers and jobs. With an aging workforce and a unique skill set, the maritime community is facing a workforce that’s aging out with skilled labor being very hard to find. To assist, Advanced Mechanical Enterprises/AMESOLUTIONS.COM, and 23 marine industry companies have joined forces with Junior Achievement of South Florida.On May 1, 2019, Junior Achievement of South Florida will unveil the Marine Industry Storefront…

The Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has announced the publication of the 2018 Domestic Annual Report.The report highlights, U.S. domestic fleet deficiencies, inspections, and marine casualty statistics and serves as a powerful tool to study trends, identify key performance indicators, and bring attention to issues in the fleet.The report presents information reflecting the entire U.S. Flag fleet, including barges, cargo vessels, passenger vessels, vessels operating on the Outer Continental Shelf…

The application period for this year’s MN100 edition is officially open and underway! Only those who apply can be considered for inclusion.The MN100, always our August print edition, is our annual look at the best 100 firms in the MarineNews, brown water, workboat space. There will never be a better time for you to tell MarineNews just why your firm is one of the best in the business. All of that – the selected 100 companies – will be featured in the August edition of the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre.

Subchapter M – Only a few days left to schedule inspections to meet July 22, 2019 compliance requirements. Rear Adm. John Nadeau, assistant commandant for prevention policy, weighs in on options and instructions.As of July 20, 2018, towing vessel owners and operators are responsible for ensuring that their vessels comply with the provisions of 46 CFR Subchapter M, even if they have not received a Certificate of Inspection (COI). Additionally, in accordance with 46 CFR 136.202…

The technology group Wärtsilä is to supply and configure the software solutions for a new, state-of-the-art, purpose built simulation center being constructed near Portsmouth, England. The center is an expansion of the Maritime Skills Academy’s (MSA) training portfolio serving the Solent region, and is designed to meet the specific simulation training requirements of cruise, ferry and superyacht clients. MSA Solent is part of the Viking Maritime Group, headquartered in Dover, England.

The Indonesia-based Waruna Group  has signed up to Videotel Performance ManagerTM (VPM), a solution for maritime training developed by KVH-Videotel.Waruna Group, which has subsidiaries in shipping, shipyards, and ship building, would  use the extensive range of KVH-Videotel’s training content with the power of web-based data analytics.“Waruna Group is committed to crew training and it is a proven fact that well-trained and competent crew will contribute to safer and efficient ship operations…

Marijuana use remains incompatible with sea service despite changes in state laws.Every year, dangerous drug use disrupts or destroys the careers of hundreds of professional mariners, threatening safety throughout the maritime transportation system at the same time. The ravages of addiction and accidental overdose make headlines daily, yet drug use among both the general population and safety-sensitive workforce continues to increase. Much of the rise is attributable to the growing use of marijuana…

Is your company a Top 100 performer? The application period for this year’s MN100 edition is officially open and underway! Only those who apply can be considered for inclusion.The MN100, always our August print edition, is our annual look at the best 100 firms in the MarineNews, brown water, workboat space. There will never be a better time for you to tell MarineNews just why your firm is one of the best in the business. All of that – the selected 100 companies – will be featured in the August edition of the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) training on the international treaty covering waste dumping at sea, the London Protocol, is underway for Algerian government officials and participants from shipping companies and port authorities.The workshop, held in Alger (9-10 April), is enabling cooperation between different sectors – allowing effective implementation of measures aimed at protecting the marine environment from dumping of harmful wastes at sea.As set out in the London…

The World Maritime University (WMU) signed an enhanced Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), to cooperate on global maritime leadership training and capacity building for the international maritime community. The enhanced MoU was signed by Ms. Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive, MPA, and Dr. Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU.The agreement provides for cooperation between the two partners on the education of maritime leaders, leadership development programmes…

Maritime software, services and data analysis provider NAPA announced a service and product agreement extension with Carnival Corporation, cruise company with a combined fleet of more than 100 vessels across nine cruise line brands. This covers comprehensive services for the Onboard NAPA Loading Computers, training certification for Carnival’s CSMART training facility, and a framework agreement for future deployments of NAPA solutions.Carnival’s commitment to the highest performance…

World Maritime University (WMU) International Women’s Conference, Empowering Women in the Maritime Community was held in Malmö, Sweden (4-5 April), reflecting this year’s World Maritime Day theme.Remove structural barriers, build good networks and support quality education to ensure no woman, no girl is left behind in the maritime sector - where women remain significantly under-represented. These were some of the themes reiterated by maritime leaders speaking in the event.Opening the conference…

Japanese shipping giant Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK)'s  training program for seafarers responsible for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other low-flashpoint fuels on board NYK Group-operated ships has been accredited by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Class NK).With this, NYK has now become the first Japanese shipping company to obtain an international institution’s certification in the field of International Code for Ships Using Gases and Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) training."Compared with Europe…

Instructors and students from the Korea Maritime and Ocean University (KMOU) and Mokpo National Maritime University (MMU) will be the first to engage with a unique new approach to maritime simulation and training with the delivery of a full suite of Kongsberg Digital simulator systems to the T/S SEGERO and T/S HANNARA, two identical training ships with a length of 133m and a beam of 19m.KDI’s K-Sim simulator technology has set the benchmark for comprehensive instruction on a broad range of maritime workstations…

Ensure adequate maneuvering space!Recently there were three marine casualties that resulted in the sinking of towing vessels on the Lower Mississippi River. One of the casualties resulted in a fatality. These cases are all under investigation by the Coast Guard, but the preliminary fact finding indicates there are some similarities between the three incidents. In all three cases towing vessels became pinned against another object in an aspect that exposed the vessel broadside to very strong currents.

A call for papers addressing transformational change has been launched by global trade association Interferry ahead of its 44th annual conference in London this October.The conference theme is Innovation – and CEO Mike Corrigan stresses that preference will be given to topics highlighting step change rather than incremental improvements. “We want to explore ideas that could revolutionize every aspect of the ferry industry,” he notes. “That might cover anything from customer service, ticketing and IT to ship and terminal design, propulsion, insurance and finance.

Military Sealift Command hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to signify the opening of its new Center for Excellence located on Joint Base Langley-Eustis, March 25.The Military Sealift Command Center for Excellence provides MSC-centric basic training for newly employed civil service mariners (CIVMAR).“Ultimately, the new Military Sealift Command Center for Excellence is replacing the MSC training center in Earl, New Jersey,” said Military Sealift Command Total Force Management Director Mike Morris, who co-officiated the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The application period for this year’s MN100 edition is officially open and underway! Only those who apply can be considered for inclusion.The MN100, always our August print edition, is our annual look at the best 100 firms in the MarineNews, brown water, workboat space. There will never be a better time for you to tell MarineNews just why your firm is one of the best in the business. All of that – the selected 100 companies – will be featured in the August edition of the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre.

Following news of Raal Harris’s promotion to the position of managing director at KVH Videotel earlier in the year, the company has announced a further strengthening of its management team with the appointment of Jason Barreto as European sales manager.Barreto started his sales career with a series of airline, ship management, and marine travel companies, gaining particular experience in the offshore market.Prior to joining KVH Videotel, he worked at the OSM Maritime Group, where…

The third-largest cruise line in the world Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)  announced plans for the development and construction of the Norwegian Cruise Line Center of Excellence, a new shipboard seafarer training facility near Manila in the Philippines.The Center, which will serve both new and existing crew and provide training for various service-related jobs, is due to open in late 2020, said a press release from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.Norwegian said the facility will be "designed to provide trainees with realistic work and living experiences aboard a cruise ship…

Guyana is the latest country to benefit from International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s continuing work to strengthen oil spill response capacity in the Wider Caribbean Region.According to the UN body, Guyanese officials from 28 different government agencies, environmental stakeholders, and local industry representatives took part in the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency, Information and Training Centre for the Caribbean (REMPEITC)-Caribe training workshop (18-20 March) funded…

A training tackling maritime crime is undergoing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (10 - 28 March 2019), informed the International Maritime Organization (IMO).Members of three key regional maritime security agreements -The Djibouti Code of Conduct; the West and Central Africa Code of conduct; and the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP)-, which IMO has helped to establish, are participating in the program.Thirty participants from 24 countries are learning theoretical and practical skills to deal with piracy/robbery against ships…

The International Association of Maritime and Port Executives (IAMPE) has announced the latest group of Maritime Port Executives who completed the accredited seminar the week of March 11th at DHS/USCG Headquarters in Washington, DC.The latest class of graduates include LCDR. William Albright, USCG-MPE; Mr. Zach Bonheim-MPE; Cdr. Charles Bright, USCG-MPE; CDR. Bradely Clare, USCG-MPE; LCDR. Dan Davis, USCG-MPE; LCDR. Leslie Downing, USCG-MPE; LCDR. Jamie Gatz, USCG-MPE; CDR. Jason Gunning, USCG-MPE; Mr. Rajiv Khandpur-MPE; LT. David Liberman, USCG-MPE; LCDR. Ben Mazyck, USCG-MPE; LCDR.

An Alfa Laval Smit Combustion system (FU type) is now installed at the Alfa Laval Test & Training Center in Aalborg, Denmark. The system, which adds inert gas production to the center’s already comprehensive range of full-scale vessel applications, will ensure that Alfa Laval remains at the forefront of developing and optimizing inert gas systems.Inaugurated in 2014, the Alfa Laval Test & Training Center is essentially a full-sized machine room on land, with equipment from all of Alfa Laval’s marine product groups installed in process lines as they would be on a commercial vessel.

Emerging maritime challenges were at the forefront of discussions at the 11th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Inter-Sessional Meeting (ISM) on Maritime Security in Da Nang, Viet Nam, (14-15 March).Participants had the opportunity to exchange views on regional maritime issues, review progress of their maritime security work plan, and discuss proposed activities over the coming year.International Maritime Organization (IMO) took the opportunity to update ARF members on IMO's work in…

SUNY Maritime College has appointed Captain Morgan McManus as the Master of the T/S Empire State VI. An alumnus of SUNY Maritime College, Captain McManus graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in Marine Transportation.Captain McManus has over 12 years’ experience sailing as Master including on the SS Cape Jacob, the sister ship to T/S Empire State VI. His sailing career has taken him on various types of commercial ships including steam, motor, breakbulk, container, car carriers, tankers, and cutting-edge dynamic positioned drill ships.

Captain Pat Folan outlines the way forward, especially for the smaller towboat firms. It’s not rocket science, but it does involve common sense. July 20, 2018 came and went, and we are all still here – mostly. The reality of Sub M has begun to sink in and for some it signals the end of a business and career. The AWO RCP members, oil movers and early adopters are going to make it. But for some of the ‘Mom & Pops,’ this is looking like a bridge too far.And some of this group are the ones that needed to be weeded out.

Each year, the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) sponsors the Rhodes Academy Submarine Cables Writing Award for a deserving paper addressing submarine cables and their relationship with the law of the sea. With the award, the ICPC seeks to foster scholarship regarding submarine cables and the law of the sea and promote the rule of law as applied to submarine cables. In 2018, the selection jury chose Ms. Liao Xuexia of China as the winner for her paper titled: “Protection of Submarine Cables against Acts of Terrorism.”Each year…

Lloyd’s Maritime Academy has launched its first ever, in-depth online course focusing on the Ballast Water Management Convention.The ‘Certificate of Ballast Water Management’ will run as a 12-week distance learning course and will start on the March 28, 2019. Split into six modules, the course specifically focuses on ballast water management, the Convention and why it’s needed. It will highlight how the environmental concerns are addressed, as well as the role different job functions can…

Even as the minimum Random Drug Testing Rate is raised to 50 PCT, the Coast Guard wants its mission to consist of 90% outreach and just 10% enforcement. Really.The domestic waterfront got some less-than-happy news when the U.S. Coast Guard announced that the calendar year 2019 minimum random drug testing rate had been set at 50 percent of covered crewmembers. It’s safe to say that nobody is happy about it, much less the Coast Guard itself.In truth, the Coast Guard had little to say about the matter.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) has conducted a Level 2 Training Course on OPRC (Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation) in St Kitts and Nevis  for oil spill response managers in the wider Caribbean region.Participants from 15 countries attended the IMO-funded event, which is focused on tactical aspects of spill preparedness and response, and applying incident management systems to assist effective coordination of spill response.The countries were Anguilla…

Oslo-based Bulkship Management AS has chosen Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 for compliance in ballast water treatment. The company has signed a comprehensive fleet agreement that includes 30 PureBallast 3 Compact Flex systems, as well as commissioning and training.Bulkship Management AS is a fast-growing ship management company focused on technical management and crewing. The company has now signed a fleet agreement with Alfa Laval in ballast water treatment, comprising the supply of 30 PureBallast 3 Compact Flex systems over the next four years.

Massachusetts-based Bristol Community College and JDR Cables, supplier of subsea power cables and umbilicals and a part of the TFKable Group, have launched new collaboration to train the future workforce for the global offshore wind industry.President Laura L. Douglas, Ph.D., of Bristol Community College, and Business Development Manager, at JDR, Neil Brown, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide technical job training as part of New England’s emerging offshore wind industry.They were joined by the British Consul General to New England…

A regional workshop has provided senior maritime administration officials in Central America with the latest information on current and future developments at International Maritime Organization (IMO).The training was organized by IMO and the Central American Commission on Maritime Transport (COCATRAM) in Medellin, Colombia (4-6 March), said a press note from the UN Body.The 24 participants received detailed information about the activities within the IMO’s Integrated Technical…

Sharing information among the various different agencies involved is vital for maintaining maritime security, especially where there is a strong multi-national element.That’s why International Maritime Organization (IMO)  is running a workshop in Djibouti on maritime security in the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean area.The participants (from Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, United…

Nova Scotia-based Bluedrop Performance Learning  through its subsidiary Bluedrop Training & Simulation Inc has been awarded a contract to provide advanced training systems for the Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels.Seaspan Shipyards has awarded Bluedrop contract for work on the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) new Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels (OFSV), said a press release.Bluedrop represents one of several Atlantic Canadian suppliers to date that Seaspan is working with to meet its commitments under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).Bluedrop designs and develops highly specialized…

The World Maritime University has launched a new Postgraduate Diploma program on Maritime Energy via distance learning. The new program is designed to take a holistic approach from ships to ports and shipyards, combining technical solutions with a socio-economic-environmental perspective.“The 2015 Paris Agreement and new IMO greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) Strategy require a significant reduction in GHG to be achieved over the coming decades, reaching zero emissions of CO2 before the end of this century,” said Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, WMU’s President.

Japanese shipping giant has urged graduates to apply for the latest edition of its award-winning talent acquisition program, Growww.The Growww 2019 offers fresh graduates a unique opportunity to kick-start their career in one of the largest corporations in Central Eastern Europe, said a press note from the global transport company.Through the program MOL aims to develop a new generation of industry experts, offering them an opportunity to learn and solve real-life business challenges…

The second in a planned series of interactive workshops to prepare countries for a wide range of potential threats and security situations has been held, in Veracruz, Mexico (26-27 February).The interactive Port Facility Security/Port Security Officer Tabletop Exercise was run by International Maritime Organization (IMO) in collaboration with the Organization of American States Inter American Committee Against Terrorism (OAS-CICTE), following a successful pilot in Panama 2018.According to a press note from the UN body…

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) hosted commencement exercises on Saturday, March 2, 2019, for 157 graduates of The Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding. The apprenticeship is a rigorous four- to eight-year program designed to develop the next generation of shipyard leaders. The Apprentice School, which first opened in 1919 with 126 apprentices, is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year. Over the last 100 years, the school has produced more than 10,800 graduates.“To casually say that you build ships falls woefully short of how you serve the United States of America…

William Gallagher, President of International Registries, to be named Massachusetts Maritime Academy's Maritime Person of the Year.Since 1995, Massachusetts Maritime Academy has been honoring leaders with a renowned career of excellence, innovation and service to the maritime industry with the Emery Rice Medal at their Salute to the Maritime Person of the Year events. This year they will honor Mr. William Gallagher the President of International Registries, Inc. for his distinguished support and expertise…

The 570-foot Singapore-flagged chemical & oil tanker Bow Mariner sank 15 years ago when the ship caught fire and sustained two explosions, resulting in the deaths of 21 out of 27 crew members, 45-miles off the coast of Virginia, Feb. 28, 2004.The vessel was transporting over three million gallons of ethyl alcohol on a voyage from New York to Texas. It had previously carried methyl tert-butyl ether, MTBE, in its other 22 cargo tanks that were discharged in New York.The cause of…

Carnival Corporation partnered with Marine Learning Systems to develop an App for mariner skills assessment.Dubbed SkillGrader, the App was designed to help standardize Carnival Corporation’s training and assessment across the company’s fleet of 105 ships and 9 brands. Prior to its development, there were numerous different approaches to training, with hundreds of programs, and a variety of fleet trainers and external training providers.“We wanted to align and standardize our approach.” says John Allen, Carnival Corporation’s Director of Maritime Professional Development.

Columbia Shipmanagement, an organization with over 40 years of experience providing world-class ship management and maritime services to our clients and partners,  announced the launch of its own eLearning Management System (LMS) in partnership with Adobe Systems."For the first time in shipping, a Web and App-based eLearning platform enables seafarers to access and complete their training assingments at their own pace, whereever they are and even withouth having network connectivty…

Thuraya Telecommunications company, a subsidiary of the Al Yah Satellite Communications company (Yahsat), has partnered with ITC Global to set up Thuraya VSAT+, the ground-breaking maritime satellite service.ITC Global is a subsidiary of Panasonic Avionics Corporation. The partnership gives Thuraya access to Panasonic’s global mobility network, which enables the Ku-band element of the Thuraya VSAT+ service.Thuraya launched VSAT+ in Q4 2018. The service offers global coverage, best-in-class data rates to meet growing demand for high-throughput services…

Wasteful, Unwarranted and does not address the ‘Marijuana Challenge.’On December 28, 2018, the United States Coast Guard published a notice in the Federal Register alerting the maritime industry of its determination to increase the minimum annual rate of random drug testing for 2019 from twenty-five percent (25%) to fifty percent (50%). American Maritime Safety, Inc. (AMS), a non-profit industry consortium that facilitates the industry’s compliance with these regulations, regrets the Coast Guard’s decision.AMS counts as members over 400 maritime employers including cruise liners…

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is introducing a new user-friendly concept for digital learning that is new to the expedition ship world, as the Hanseatic Nature, Inspiration and Spirit will feature an innovative touch wall when they launch.The study wall will measure 6 meters by 1.8 meters, allowing guests to research complex topics and background information about their cruise destinations.Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has been developing this concept for around two and a half years, in partnership…

Witherbys, in conjunction with BIMCO and International Shipcare, released the Ship Lay-up Guide this week.This new publication is a comprehensive guide to best practice when placing a ship into lay-up and is an essential aid for any ship owners/managers considering ship lay-up.Fully illustrated, with numerous real-world examples, this guide explains why a ship is placed into lay-up and the types of lay-up, as well as providing the reader with information on appraisal, planning, procedures at the lay-up site and reactivation.

Bringing the world of containerized cargo to young readers.This rhyming children’s book follows Casey the Container, a new shipping container, along her journey on her first day in port. Casey meets new friends, experiences the workings of the waterfront, and learns the important role containers play in our world. The story, as told from Casey’s perspective, provides operational insight about the movement of containerized cargo. Eighty-five percent of goods used within the world are transported in shipping containers arriving on container ships.In sharing Casey’s journey…

Captain Louis Rhéaume has joined the team at Maritime Simulation and Resource Center (MSRC).At MSRC Captain Rhéaume will supervise the implementation of maritime expertise projects and provide his professional and administrative experience to the pilots in training. Captain Rhéaume is a graduate of the Institute maritime du Québec and holder of a Master Foreign Going Certificate. He was a pilot on the St. Lawrence River in the Quebec-Escoumins sector from 1984 to 2018, President of the Lower St.

Maritime law enforcement officials from Kenya are taking part in a two week training course on best practices for visit, board, search and seizure of vessels, in Mombasa, Kenya (11-22 February).The multi-agency course brings together 30 officials to learn skills for effective coordination in combating maritime crimes and procedures used to successfully board and search a vessel of interest.The training is part of International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s support for implementing the Jeddah Amendment to Djibouti Code of Conduct 2017…

The number of Indian seafarers employed on Indian or foreign flag vessels increased by 35 per cent in 2018 on the back of a series of measures taken in the last four years, said the shipping ministry. "The shipping sector has witnessed an unprecedented growth of 35 per cent in the number of Indian seafarers employed on Indian or foreign flag vessels this year. The figure rose from 154349 in 2017 to 208799 in 2018. Along with this, the number of students placed for on-board training also increased from 14307 last year to 19545 this year…

International Maritime Organization (IMO) maritime security and counter-terrorism treaties are key international instruments supporting countries to counter terrorism.The UN body said that to boost implementation of these treaties in South and South-East Asia, IMO and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducted a cross-regional workshop in Bali, Indonesia (5-8-February).The workshop was addressing the need to ratify the relevant international counter-terrorism…

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has launched a new logo for its Women in Maritime programme, as part of its mission to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.Programme lead Helen Buni said: "The IMO Women in Maritime programme supports the participation of women in both shore-based and sea-going posts, under the slogan Training-Visibility-Recognition’, through a wide range of gender-specific activities.

As part of its continuing efforts to help African countries improve the sustainability of their maritime sectors and their blue economies, International Maritime Organization (IMO) frequently works with partners to help support their initiatives.This work includes participating in two major annual maritime security exercises in Africa, the first of which, Cutlass Express, is currently underway in Djibouti, Mozambique and the Seychelles (25 January – 7 February).Cutlass Express puts special emphasis on encouraging navies and civilian agencies and different countries to work together…

Compliance in ballast water treatment depends on crew knowledge as well as the ballast water treatment system itself. To help customers secure the needed competence, Alfa Laval is expanding its Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 training program with crew training in Houston, Manila and Mumbai.Alfa Laval will begin PureBallast 3 crew training courses in Houston, Manila and Mumbai during the first and second quarters of 2019. The strategically located sites complement Alfa Laval’s state-of-the-art facility in Stockholm…

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) yesterday (5th February) launched a five-day capacity building seminar to help UK Overseas Territories support safe maritime trade.The seminar, delivered as part of the Government’s Overseas Territories Seabed Mapping Programme, will focus on international regulations, with sessions on maritime safety information training, best practice governance and maritime law. This guidance, given by experts at both the UKHO and MCA, will help each of the…

As survey responses continue to role in, the deadline for the 2019 Maritime Insights Database (MarTID) annual survey of maritime training practices has been extended to February 28, 2019. Ship owners, Maritime Training institutions and mariners all have a stake in participation, as Murray Goldberg explains.Take the SurveyFor operators: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019MarTIDOperatorFor training institutions: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019MarTIDMETIFor seafarers: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019MarTIDSeafarerThe…

ABS Launches New Guide for Liquefied Gas Tank Barges with Remote Control and Monitoring of Essential Systems; outlines requirements for design and construction of unmanned barges equipped with various degrees of automation. ABS released guidance to assist shipyards and barge operators:  The Guide for Building and Classing Liquefied Gas Tank Barges with Remote Control and Monitoring of Essential Systems.The Guide provides requirements for the design and construction of barges equipped with various degrees of automation…

Celebrations in Wismar: Twelve apprentices – six construction mechanics, four plant mechanics and two manufacturing mechanics – from Wismar, Rostock and Stralsund received their certificates of completion today. The young men have just completed three and a half years of vocational training.The ceremony was attended by representatives of the MV WERFTEN management team, training supervisors from each of the three locations, the works councils as well as representatives of the vocational schools and chambers of industry and commerce in Schwerin and Rostock.

Admiral Karl L. Schultz assumed the duties as the 26th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on June 1, 2018. He previously served from August 2016 to May 2018 as Commander, Atlantic Area where he was the operational commander for all Coast Guard missions spanning five Coast Guard Districts and 40 states. Previous operational assignments include Sector Commander in Miami, Florida, as well as command tours aboard Cutters VENTUROUS, ACACIA and FARALLON. His senior staff assignments include Chief of the Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs; Congressional Liaison to the U.S.

The last four years saw an unprecedented growth of 42.3 per cent shipboard jobs for Indian seafarers.The seafarers employed on ships worldwide increased from 108446 in 2013 to 154349 in 2017.India now provides 9.35 per cent of the global seafarers and ranks third in the list of the largest seafarer supplying nation to the world maritime industry."The Ministry of Shipping has strived to improve employment generation in the Shipping sector during the last four years," said Union Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya.He further added…

Roxtec reports that it has more than doubled its fire resistance testing capacity, opening in Sweden a new laboratory that creates conditions for continuous development of safety products.The fire lab is located at the Roxtec headquarters in Karlskrona, Sweden, and it will play a key role in the product development and pre-certification process for the sealing solutions. With the lab Roxtec engineers and technicians can prepare tests with exactness. Every test object must be tested as an entire system in a realistic environment.

Kongsberg Digital unveiled an innovative new simulator solution for training officers and crew in advanced firefighting. K-Sim Safety offers high fidelity simulation covering all aspects of fire safety. K-Sim Safety contributes to reducing the impact of fire on board as well as planning strategies and tactics to control fire in various parts of the ship, enabling a safer and more effective response to incidents when they occur.K-Sim Safety delivers practical exercises simulated in a realistic environment and meets the STCW regulation VI/3…

The evidence and industry subject matter experts both say ‘yes.’In its recently released SAFER SEAS DIGEST, Lessons Learned from Marine Accident Investigations (2017), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports investigating numerous accidents across all modes of transportation where a properly implemented safety management system (SMS) could have prevented injuries, loss of life, or material damage. That document spans analysis of casualties across the full spectrum of all manners of marine craft…

One of the great strengths of the UN system is its multi-national and multi-cultural nature.As far as possible, UN bodies try to work in their delegates’ own languages or at least in a language they are familiar and comfortable with. There are six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) and the vast majority of international meetings throughout the UN system enjoy simultaneous interpretation into all of them.That means interpreters are often the unsung heroes of international diplomacy.

International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Polar Code helps ensure that ships operating in the harsh Arctic and Antarctic areas take into account extremes of temperature and make sure critical equipment remains operational.Draft guidance for navigation and communication equipment intended for use on ships operating in polar waters is expected to be finalized by the current session of the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR 6, 16-25 January).The guidance will include recommendations on temperature and mechanical shock testing…

The  International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack Lim has highlighted the need to consider seafarer training and standards as shipping evolves, with increasing levels of technology and automation.Speaking at IMO Headquarters (15 January) at the launch of a new report “Transport 2040: Automation, Technology and Employment - the Future of Work”, Secretary-General Lim set out key questions that will require focus from all stakeholders:  “How will the seafarer…

The second annual global Maritime Training Insights Database (MarTID) survey examines the impact of the autonomy trend in maritime operations on the training of future seafarers, and is officially open.The MarTID 2019 SurveyTo facilitate a broader response, this year the MarTID steering group opted to both shorten the survey and to offer three, targeted versions: one for vessel operators, one for training institutions and one for seafarers.What is MarTID?MarTID is a noncommercial, joint initiative of the World Maritime University, Marine Learning Systems and New Wave Media.

International Maritime Organization (IMO)  is assisting the Government of Viet Nam to implement international counter-terrorism measures involving the maritime sector.The training workshop is part of an on-going project with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, which assists States’ capability to implement and enforce maritime safety and security legislation to support countering terrorism, piracy and armed robbery against ships.The exercise took place in Hai Phong, Viet Nam (9-10 January).

To help its Member States gain a better understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role International Maritime Organization (IMO)  can play in achieving them, IMO and the United Nations System Staff College held a workshop (11 January) for Member State delegations at IMO’s London headquarters.Among the topics covered in the workshop were how to integrate different stakeholders and develop coherent policies with regard to sustainable development, and how to generate engagement and buy-in among potential partners.As part of the United Nations family…

The Council of American Master Mariners is holding its annual Professional Development Conference. CAMM has issued "a call for papers."The event takes place on 25 April 2019. Details to follow:Where: Island Palms Hotel & Marina, 2051 Shelter Island Drive in San Diego, California 92106 United StatesTheme: Who is Really in Command of the Ship?Benefits for Presenters: Presenters get one night free with meals on day of Conference. Ten minutes from San Diego Airport.For more Details…

Passenger Vessel Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting education and safety in the passenger vessel industry, received a $25,000 Challenge Grant from Hornblower Cruises & Events, a San Francisco-based passenger vessel operator with operations in California, New York and Canada to name a few.“We are very pleased to receive this generous Challenge Grant from Hornblower Cruises & Events,” said Rob McMahon, President of the Passenger Vessel Foundation (PVF). “Hornblower…

According to Wikipedia, “Indonesia has a total land area of 1,904,569 square kilometers (735,358 sq mi), Including 93,000 square kilometers (35,908 sq mi) of inland seas (straits, bays, and other bodies of water). The additional surrounding sea areas bring Indonesia's generally recognized territory (land and sea) to about 5 million km2.”The nation of over 17,000 islands has 54,720 km (34,000Mi) of coastline and maintains a growing navy. In addition to national security, the navy…

To mitigate the impact caused by the partial lapse in appropriations and shutdown of National Maritime Center (NMC) operations, the following actions are being taken:Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) (National Endorsements only) and Medical Certificates that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended as valid until March 31, 2019. Print the attached letter and carry it with your credential.Additional Information (AI) letters, sent to mariners that expired in December 2018 or expire in January 2019 are extended to March 31…

On Christman day, Japanese shipping line Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) cooperated with a ship tour sponsored by Mazda Motor Corporation by escorting about 70 elementary and junior high school students and their parents on board an NYK-operated pure car and truck carrier (PCTC).Since 1996, Mazda Motor Corporation has regularly held a tour of this kind as one of its social contribution activities to give children an understanding of the Japanese car industry, stimulate curiosity…

Due to the partial government shutdown, the National Maritime Center (NMC) and all Regional Exam Centers (RECs) are closed until further notice.Customer walk-in service is suspended. Examinations and other REC appointments are cancelled, and REC appointment calendars are closed. Applications may continue to be e-mailed or mailed in and will be processed when the shutdown is over.The following limited operations will be maintained:The Customer Service Center call center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. You may reach the call center at 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662) and IASKNMC@uscg.mil.The NMC website will provide…

... one year after the commandant’s Final Action Memo on the El Faro sinking.“… the Coast Guard is ultimately responsible to monitor the performance of third parties that perform delegated functions and also to guarantee the effectiveness of vessel inspections and surveys. Yet the Coast Guard failed to adequately oversee the third party in this case, and the investigation reveals that the Coast Guard has not sustained the proficiency and policy framework to do so in general. The…

The European co-funded Poseidon Med II programme (PMII), organised a workshop at the Technological Educational Institute of Crete (TEI) in the context of its dissemination activities.The subject of the workshop, which took place on December 17th, 2018 was to present the appropriate framework for the adoption of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a marine fuel in the Eastern Mediterranean.The event was opened by the Rector,  N. Katsarakis, followed by a welcome note by the President and Managing Director of the port of Heraklion,  A. Philippis. The event was attended by Professors and students of the Technological Educational Institute of Crete…

The Worldwide Ferry Safety Association (WFSA) is pleased to announce that winners have been selected for its 2019 Ferry Design Competition. The awards will be presented at WFSA’s Ferry Safety and Technology Conference, which will be be held in Bangkok February 20‐22, 2019. In the contest, student teams were tasked with designing a passenger ferry for the Pasig River, the locus of commercial and public activities in Manila. Dr. Roberta Weisbrod, Executive Director of WFSA, had…

The American Waterways Operators (AWO) has released a new publication - Cyber Risk Management: Best Practices for the Towing Industry, Version 1.0.This best practices guide is the product of a year-long initiative of the Cyber Risk Management Quality Action Team, an AWO workgroup, with technical input and guidance from Coast Guard prevention staff. The guide is designed to help the towing industry identify and manage cyber risks and detect and respond to cyber attacks or accidents.Cyber Risk Management: Best Practices for the Towing Industry, Version 1.0, is available on AWO’s website.

Simulation exercises are proving to be a valuable tool to assist countries and port authorities to prepare for a wide range of potential threats and security situations.According to a press release, an interactive port facility/port security officer workshop in Panama City, Panama (13-14 December) presented a series of possible scenarios which were deliberately varied, from the easiest problems to solve, to others that may require greater participation and analysis to reach a solution.Participants discussed needs…

The Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) -administered centre in the Mediterranean, conducted a regional workshop to identify and address ship-source air pollution in the Mediterranean  last week."Political, legal and technical obstacles can sometimes challenge ratification and subsequently the effective implementation of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI air pollution and energy efficiency regulations…

Singapore's port operator PSA Corporation Limited (PSA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) to develop a pipeline of talent for the future mega port in Tuas.The MoU is aimed at producing data science, info-communications and engineering professionals for the Tuas port, said a joint statement by PSA and SUTD.The new Tuas Port will harness big data, and leverage automation technologies and smart systems to raise terminal productivity and service quality…

International Maritime Organization (IMO)  is providing training to countries in the west Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden on managing insecurity in the maritime domain in a regional workshop at the Djibouti Regional Training Centre (9-13 December).The countries are Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Tanzania, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, the Sudan and Yemen.It’s the latest in an ongoing series of capacity-building initiatives in the region, targeted…

The 2019 Maritime Insights Database (MarTID) survey has just been launched. This annual survey and the resulting annual reports (available freely at www.MarTID.org) provide critical data on maritime training practices and trends useful to every segment of the maritime industry. As such, it is important that every seafarer, maritime trainer and maritime administrator working at a vessel operator or training center complete the survey (also available at www.MarTID.org) and ask their colleagues to do the same.Now that the 2019 survey has been launched…

Committed to providing tugboat and towing vessel operators with a platform to meet regularity requirements and collaborate with local resources, the annual event also reminds us that Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.On September 28 2018, American Marine Associates, LLC (AMA) coordinated and hosted the 3rd annual Green Apple Spill Response Exercise in Bayonne, NJ. The Green Apple Spill Response exercise was established specifically for the tugboat and towing vessel industry operating in New York Harbor.

The Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance announced the release of the 2017 Domestic Vessel Annual Report, the first of its kind issued from the Coast Guard.The report collates data from the Coast Guard’s Marine Information Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database regarding vessel population, inspections conducted, and deficiencies issued for the 2017 calendar year.In 2017, the Coast Guard’s fleet of responsibility contained 12,189 vessels with active Certificates of Inspection (COI). There were 905 Marine Inspectors (MI) assigned to field units who conducted 18,424 inspections.

Marine simulators are commonplace in the training and development of crew for large vessels. Not so much for small, fast patrol and attack craft.From the mid to late 1970s, marine simulators developed into a viable training tool for trainee mariners. Their initial popularity developed as opportunities for practical training became scarcer and a lot costlier, too. Since then, however, the advancement of the technology has brought a new dimension to professional crew training for small, fast craft.

ABS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI) to create a new facility dedicated to improving the safety of LNG as fuel.ABS and KOMERI will collaborate on research at the shoreside facility, which will allow shipowners to safely test fuel gas and bunkering systems, under actual loading conditions, prior to installation onboard.“ABS is proud to partner with KOMERI on this important facility, which will help ensure safe and effective testing of new equipment and ultimately advance adoption of LNG…

The course will train Mariners in Marine Fire Fighting utilizing state of the art equipment and simulators.Factors such as fire causes, associated dangers, welding, smoking, poor housekeeping, and faulty equipment will be covered. Mariners will be taught proper use of Fire Fighting equipment with practical demonstration and live fire exercises.The course will satisfy U.S. Coast Guard regulations for The Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting training requirements of Section A-VI/1 of the STCW Code…

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) with several collaborating groups released an update for an internationally vital sea-ice computer model, called CICE version 6.0, a timely tool that supports more accurate forecasting of ice occurrence and global climate modeling.“This update improves our ability to understand a type of anchored ice, called land-fast ice, that is attached to the shore or sea bottom and can block shipping lanes and northern ports,” said Elizabeth Hunke, lead developer of the CICE model.

Cargotec, the Finnish company that makes cargo-handling machinery, has  partnered with Rainmaking in September this year to establish a startup collaboration programme called Trade & Transport Impact.The programme connects world leading corporations and innovative startups to address the biggest challenges in maritime, cargo transport and logistics, said a press release.Applications to join can now be made, and Cargotec invites startups worldwide to join with us in the Rainmaking Trade & Transport Impact programme."Maritime logistics is full of inefficiencies throughout the value chain…

The International Propeller Club of the United States is looking for a new Executive Vice President to lead its Fairfax, Virginia office in early 2019.The International Propeller Club is an international business network dedicated to the promotion of the maritime industry, commerce, and global trade. It has 5,000 members in more than 75 ports around the world who represent a cross-section of the maritime industry. The Propeller Club is ninety-one years old and serves as the premier…

The Classification Society Korean Register (KR) and Swiss Climate EcoCare GmbH has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to provide enhanced International Maritime Organization (IMO) Data Collection System (DCS) services to the maritime industry.According to a release, the MoU was signed in Hamburg, Germany on 22nd Nov 2018 in presence of Philipp Ahrenkiel, Managing Director at Swiss Climate EcoCare GmbH and Michael Suhr, Technical & Commercial Director at Korean Register, Germany.

Switzerland-based low-speed gas and diesel marine engines marine manufacturer Winterthur Gas & Diesel (WinGD) has become a member of the LNG Marine Fuel Institute.WinGD, the company involved in the design and development of the two-stroke X-DF LNG engines,  is highly invested in the advancement of the shipping industry through LNG as fuel.More than 150 engines of the new WinGD X-DF type are ordered, under construction or in operations, said a press release from the company.WinGD’s engine design history dates back to the late 1800s when they were founded as the Sulzer Diesel Engine business.

Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced the addition of a new training session on "Snap-back zones" to its mariner safety education program using virtual reality (VR) goggles and VR technology created by Tsumiki Seisaku Co., Ltd.Snap-back zones happens when a tow line broke due to improper tension, the rope snapped back instantly. In some cases, this can cause life-threatening injuries.The tool enhances seafarers' risk perception by allowing them to visualize…

A full house at the IMO side event at the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference has brought together experts in the maritime sector, trade and development.Member States of the African Union, United Nations agencies, national governments, regional and international development agencies, development and financial institutions, maritime professionals and experts, civil societies, port authorities, port management associations, shipowner and fishing vessel owner organizations, as well as relevant universities…

International Maritime Organization (IMO)  has provided fellowships to ten female officials attending a Port Senior Management Programme held at the Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI) in Nahalal, Israel, (14 -27 November). "A successful and well-run port contributes to the sustainable economic development of its region. But what is also an economic no-brainer is female empowerment. We provide fellowship to address both these points," said a statement from IMO.The two-week course provides participants with key information and updates on innovations in the port industry.

Germany's Kühne Logistics University (KLU) and the container shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd announced the launch of the Hapag-Lloyd Center for Shipping and Global Logistics (CSGL) in Hamburg.According to the University, in Hamburg CSGL will promote the ongoing discourse between international research and the shipping industry.Thomas Strothotte, PhD, President of the KLU said:  “We are combining theory with practice, and are building upon KLU’s key competence areas digital transformation…

The second annual global Maritime Training Insights Database (MarTID) survey examines the impact of the autonomy trend in maritime operations on the training of future ‘seafarers,’ and as of November 26, 2018, the survey is officially ‘open’ for a period of approximately six weeks.The MarTID 2019 SurveyTo facilitate a broader response, this year the MarTID steering group opted to both shorten the survey and to offer three, targeted versions: one for vessel operators, one for training institutions and one for seafarers.

Ships and ports will need to be able to exchange arrival and departure data electronically from April 2019, under International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Facilitation Convention said a press note.There requirements also encourage the use of a single window in which all the many agencies and authorities involved exchange data via a single point of contact. Training in the treaty requirements took place during national seminars in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea (13-15 November) and in Nouakchott, Mauritania (20-22 November).