Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan explains the Stronger Together vision behind the trade association’s drive to extend its networking and lobbying influence. Over the past four decades, Interferry’s reach and purpose has evolved with increasing effect from its U.S. origins in 1976. Back then, it was formed as the International Marine Transit Association with a focus on networking among its members. Now it is highly respected and influential as the only body representing the ferry industry worldwide.

More than 80 maritime professionals attended two one-day events focused on the sub IMO / sub 80-ft. sector in Southampton, U.K. this Spring. The Man Overboard Prevention & Recovery Workshop brought together an international group of experts armed with the latest knowledge to identify problems that affect the maritime sector worldwide. Workshop lead John Haynes opened the day saying said, “Expectations, requirements and capabilities are changing for many maritime organizations. High profile roles are evolving close to shore and offshore in U.K., European and international waters.

Hand in hand with the digital craze in maritime is the caution of cyber attacks. We live and operate in a complex society. That society would be impossible without modern computers and other information technologies Those technologies have largely been developed piecemeal to address particular issues, and for the most part they have generally achieved their particular goals. Maximum efficiency is gained when multiple technologies are joined to coordinate their work. Computers get smaller and faster, with ever-growing memory. Joining computers together allowed for creation of the internet.

Currently, the Danish Maritime Authority is in the process of approving test providers and issuers of certificates for yachtsmen. ​The approval is made in accordance with new regulations that entered into force earlier this year. These provisions make it possible for organisations within the yachting area to offer tests for yachtsmen. In 2017, this is of relevance only within the field of powerboat licenses and certificates of proficiency. The first approved providers, i.e. the Dansk Fritidssejler Union (Danish Yachting Union) and the Dansk Sejlunion (Danish Sailing Association)…

BIMCO has developed new guidance for seafarers on the safe launching and recovery of lifeboats using fall preventer devices (FPDs), to reduce the number of seafarer fatalities and injuries. Lifeboat accidents resulting in fatalities and serious injuries are all too frequent, despite efforts in recent years to reduce them. Most of the accidents happen in boats using conventional davits and on-load release systems. However, recently other parts of the suspension and lifting systems have been identified as points of failure too, particularly the wire rope falls on larger lifeboats.

The crew members from ESPS Rayo continued the regional cooperation EU NAVFOR has established with the AMISOM Marine unit off the coast of Mogadishu. This was the third time this year that EU NAVFOR has had the opportunity to exercise and train with AMISOM forces. This visit to Mogadishu followed on from ESPS Relampago in February and ESPS Galicia in May. The training included briefings and exercises on fire fighting, search and rescue, first aid and boarding procedures. Maritime training with regional partners…

Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman, President and CEO of ABS, was recognized for his distinguished career of excellence, innovation and service to the maritime industries by the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) as this year’s recipient of the Maritime Person of the Year Award on September 21, 2017 in New York City. The honoree is presented with the Captain Emery Rice Medal and awarded annually to a civilian or military leader from around the globe. Named for an 1895 MMA graduate and World War I hero…

Businesses in Scotland that contribute to the Apprenticeship Levy can now apply for a workforce development grant of up to GBP 10,000, which the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) says could open up opportunities for seafarers. The Scottish Government this month launched the Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF), which aims to help pay for employee training to up-skill and re-skill companies' existing workforces through one of Scotland's further education colleges. Companies are eligible to apply for the funding if they are an Apprenticeship Levy-paying employer (i.e.

A national table-top exercise on maritime security in Lima, Peru (18-19 September) has supported the country to implement the United Nations Security Council resolution 1540 (2004), which imposes binding obligations on all States to adopt legislation to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and their means of delivery and establish appropriate domestic controls over related materials to prevent their illicit trafficking. The Lima exercise focused…

Digitalisation and new business models will be in focus of the research and innovation project Blue INNOship II, which was included in the recommendations of the Maritime Strategy Team. A steering group counting participants from Danish Maritime, Danish Shipping, the Danish Metalworkers’ Union, the Danish Maritime Authority, DTU, CBS and Force Technology have – through the Danish Maritime Fund – created the basis for initiating the work through the hiring of a project manager.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Monday that he was working to see if there was a link between a spate of recent military accidents and budget caps, but said he could not draw a direct line at this time. Since June, more than 70 U.S. service members have either been killed or injured in training or non-combat accidents, ranging from two naval collisions in Asia to a Marine Corps transport plane crash in rural Mississippi. “I am not willing to say right now that there is a direct line between sequestration and what has happened. I am willing to say ...

The trustees of the Robert Allan Memorial Scholarship Trust have awarded the scholarship for 2017 to Taryn Loutit. Loutit is a fourth year mechanical engineering student at the University of Victoria with a passion for and an objective to pursue a career in naval architecture and marine engineering. She has an outstanding academic record and has completed five co-op work terms with marine-related businesses. The Robert Allan Memorial Scholarship Trust was initiated in 1982 from a bequest by the late Robert F. Allan, and with support from his many industry friends and colleagues.

The Thames Tideway Tunnel project, London’s new ‘super sewer’, which will upgrade the city’s 19th century sewerage system for today’s eight million plus inhabitants, requires excavation on an enormous scale. Creating a tunnel 25 kilometers in length, and running up to 65 meters beneath the River Thames, will generate immense volumes of spoil, right in the heart of London. To minimize the impact of transporting this on the capital’s roads, Tideway plans to transport around 4 million metric tons of this material by river.

The Australian Defence Force Gap Year – Navy is an opportunity for young Australians to experience military training, service and lifestyle through a year-long program, with no further obligations on the participant to continue to serve. The program allows people to experience Navy life as a ‘try before you buy’ scheme during which every opportunity is given to participants to apply for transfer to Permanent Navy workforce categories, subject to sustainability and vacancies. The…

Dryad Maritime is calling on the maritime industry to develop a Standardisation Agreement (STANAG) setting minimum standards for the production of intelligence. "The threat is changing. Ship owners and operators no longer simply face a sporadic pirate threat in the Indian Ocean but are routinely deploying armed security teams to counter the threat of Water Bourne IED in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait located between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula, and Djibouti and Eritrea in the Horn of Africa," it said in a statement.

Transas has introduced a new Survival Craft Simulator (SCS) to prepare crew for the multitude of possible scenarios that can occur during lifeboat drills, aiming to address one of the most notorious sources of accidents in shipping without exposing personnel to physical danger. Effective survival craft training is essential to prepare crew for a disaster at sea but practical lifeboat drills have a troubling track record for causing fatalities. By shifting some elements of training to a simulated environment…

UK P&I Club, a provider of P&I insurance and other services to the international shipping community, has launched Risk Ahoy, a new gaming app that highlights in an engaging and interactive manner the hazards face by those on board ships on a daily basis. Risk Ahoy has been developed by the loss prevention department of UK P&I Club, is available on iTunes and Google Playstore, and has been intuitively designed to allow users to dip in and out of the action, with short, medium and long modes available. Players navigate their ship through 38 colorful levels of increasingly challenging difficulty, working their way through the various mini-games, while identifying and avoiding common onboard hazards.

To help maritime operators ensure that crew are training and performing at their peak, KVH Industries, Inc. introduced Videotel Performance Manager. The scope of the Videotel Performance Manager combines the range of training content from Videotel with the power of web-based data analytics – all from KVH. By providing maritime managers with actionable insights about their fleets’ training activities, Videotel Performance Manager is designed to help increase operational efficiency, safety, and crew performance. The cloud-based software platform ensures that a crew’s latest training records are accessible from any web-enabled device, and interactive…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has announced that the in-house training program "One MOL Global Management College was launched on September 4. One MOL Global Management College started in 2014 with the aim to improve management skills in a cross-cultural environment and develop the next generation of executives who will be leaders in the MOL Group's global management. The 2017 session marks the fourth year MOL has offered the program. In response to today's global marketplace, the program targets not only employees in Japan…

Vietnam on Tuesday issued a strong condemnation of Chinese military live-fire exercises in the disputed South China Sea, amid rising tension between the two countries. The Maritime Safety Administration of China's southern province of Hainan, which oversees the South China Sea, said last month there would be live fire drills around the Paracel Islands, which Vietnam claims, until September 2. "Vietnam strongly objects this action by China and seriously requests China to respect Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagos," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said in a statement. "Vietnam once again asserts…

EU Naval Force warship ESPS Rayo conducted Local Maritime Capacity Building (LMCB) training in support of the Djiboutian Coast Guard, during her port visit to Djibouti on 30 August. The training began with a briefing on board ESPS Rayo for the Djiboutian Coast Guard personnel. This was followed by comprehensive training in fire fighting techniques, as well as the use of protective clothing used to safely fight a fire. Those receiving the training showed great interest in both…

A workshop in Lagos, Nigeria has helped train Nigerian officials in the necessary skills and knowledge to plan, conduct and assess security drills and exercises in their port facilities. The event (28 August – 1 September) focused on port security measures of the Organization’s ISPS Code. The participants included designated authority officials, port facilities security officials, ISPS auditors, national regulators and ISPS inspectors. Led by an International Maritime Organization…

In an official ceremony held in Wismar, MV WERFTEN welcomed 102 new recruits to the maritime industry. 90 apprentices in five different professions and 12 students taking sandwich degree courses were given a warm welcome by the company management, works councils and training supervisors, set against the impressive backdrop of the company’s shipbuilding hall. “Today is a very special day for us – we are taking on over 100 new recruits in one fell swoop and are setting course together for a successful career path over the coming years,” said Holger Tepper, COO of MV WERFTEN.

The organizers of SHIPPINGInsight 2017 say a Lunch-and-Learn program will be held during the annual Fleet Optimization Conference & Exhibition, to be held October 10-12, at the Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa in Stamford, Conn. The Lunch-and-Learn event on Wednesday, October 11 will feature sponsored topic-table discussion groups, which will address timely, themed issues. Each table will be hosted by a representative of the sponsoring company, who will lead and moderate the discussion about the designated subject. “The Lunch-and-Learn program is part of our commitment to making SHIPPINGInsight the very best education and networking event for ship operators and their technology partners,” said Carleen Lyden Walker, SHIPPINGInsight co-director.

The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) has revealed the growing demand for marine driving licenses in the Emirate of Dubai as reflected by the high volume of applications for marine crews operating within local waters. In response, the DMCA’s Maritime Traffic Management team ensures the Skippers’ Evaluation course being provided to Skippers with a one-hour briefing class on ‘Marine Knowledge for Boat Operation’ with a focus on deepening and enriching modern marine knowledge in managing operational processes before undergoing formal inspection.

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division hosted a ceremony on Saturday for 123 graduates of its apprentice program. The class of 2017 graduates represent several classes of shipyard trades. “You are each a vital member of the Ingalls Shipbuilding team that builds the most complex warships the world has ever known,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias told the graduates. “When you applied for this program, you were choosing to start down a path to becoming an Ingalls leader.

The international shipping company Vroon has recently signed a fleetwide agreement with training provider Seagull Maritime. “Vroon has always been committed to safe practices and ensuring a duty of care for the safety and health of all employees and customers,” said Head Crewing, Diederic van Keulen, Vroon “We believe our continued success depends on the abilities and dedication of our staff and how we nurture each individual. We have always shared information and promoted teamwork throughout our organization.

Marlins, V.Group’s training business, has approved two new test centres in Panama and Ethiopia. The test centre in Panama is the first Marlins approved test centre in Central America. The centres – E4Seafarers in Panama and Andromeda Marine Surveying and Consultancy PLC in Ethiopia will offer both Marlins UK Maritime and Coast Guard Agency (MCA) approved STCW testing and certification as well as English language testing. Bisrat Hailu, general manager, Andromeda Marine Survey and…

India's Eastern Naval Command Golden Jubilee Seminar with the theme “National Maritime Power - Concepts, Constituents and Catalysts”, concluded on 23 August 2017. The two-day seminar is jointly hosted by ENC in partnership with the National Maritime Foundation (NMF) was inaugurated at Samudrika Auditorium Visakhapatnam on 22 August 2017 by Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC  Chief of the Naval Staff. In the Inaugural session, the welcome address was delivered by Vice Admiral HCS Bisht…

Thirty-year marine industry veteran John R. Hotz has accepted the position as the Assistant Director at the National Maritime Law Enforcement Academy (NMLEA), which together with its International Maritime Law Enforcement Academy (IMLEA) provides education, consulting services, resources and training for law enforcement officers, public safety professionals, military members, ports and waterside critical infrastructure personnel. Following a vision and leadership of Admiral Siler, a former U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, the not for profit NMLEA was established in 2000 to fill a capabilities gap that continues to effect law enforcement and emergency response operations on the water all across America. NMLEA has offices in Washington, D.C. and Tallahassee, Fla.

The International Safety@Sea Conference was officially opened yesterday by Mr Niam Chiang Meng, Chairman of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Organised by MPA as part of Safety@Sea Week, over 250 international maritime professionals convened to share best safety at sea practices. This year’s Safety@Sea week will also see the inaugural ‘Community of Practice’ (CoP) Forum which will be held on 23 August 2017. The CoP Forum is a collaborative platform for maritime administrations…

To say that Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry is passionate about all matters surrounding maritime and seafarers is a bit of an understatement. Prior to taking the helm as president of the World Maritime University (WMU) two years ago, she served as the Director of the International Labor Standards Department of the International Labor Office (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland, responsible for developing the Maritime Labor Convention, 2006. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News was at WMU…

Fatigue is a well known factor as a cause numerous maritime and non-maritime accidents worldwide. In fact driving while fatigued is considered just as bad as driving while under the influence. The requirements under the new Manilla amendments call for vessels and seafarers to log their work or rest hours to meet the standards set out under STCW 2010 or the MLC 2006. Anyone who has ever gone to sea however can tell you that these measures, although a step in the right direction do not necessarily mitigate fatigue anywhere near as well as the IMO and ILO lawmakers expect.

On-board practice in assessing maritime security measures on a ship was a key feature of a recent workshop which took place in Montevideo, Uruguay (8-11 August). Some 45 participants, representing the national Administration and designated authority for maritime security, ship companies, recognized security organizations and ship security officers. The workshop was designed to equip participants with the necessary skill and knowledge to assess the effectiveness of International ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code implementation on board a ship…

Officials responsible for port security in Mauritania are undergoing a week-long International Maritime Organization (IMO)  training course in the country’s capital of Nouakchott (7-11 August). The course will equip designated authority officials, port security officials and managers with the skills to carry out effective self-assessments and audits of port facilities, in line with IMO’s International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and guidance on voluntary self-assessment.

BIMCO has launched the first of a range of updated eLearning courses tailored to meet shipping professionals’ needs, using the very latest content authoring technology and platform. The first short documentary course is NYPE 2015, which is based on one of the most popular individual contracts available through BIMCO, only takes an hour! The other two courses, one covers Time chartering and the other Voyage chartering, provides the latest details in depth. They are for anyone wanting…

Ship owners can expect a rich digitalized offering from Kongsberg Group after the merger of its software-producing, oil-and-gas technology division; its maritime simulation (SIM) business and the company’s renewable energy department. Kongsberg Digital is the successor to these, and among the new entity’s cloudlike offerings are new ways to learn and train, as well as new SIM business models. Behind it all is the ultimate learning academy, one for all the world’s SIM and the Internet of Things — their trademarked digital “ecosystem”, Kognifai.

An Aberdeen-based maritime specialist has launched 500m Zone Management training courses to address concerns raised around offshore installation safety zones. Seacroft Marine Consultants is aiming to raise awareness of the need to control marine operations inside the 500m zone as the HSE highlights worries around the control and monitoring of vessels attending installations. With 97 percent of collisions occurring within the 500m zone involving vessels there on legitimate business…

Everyone responsible for safety or training in their organization is very aware that everything is changing in the maritime world. The worker demographic has shifted. Regulatory demand is rising and compliance is more complex. Fortunately, it is also the case that maritime safety and training has entered a renaissance period. New tools are available that improve training outcomes and allow organizations to assess the state of training and compliance with a level of insight not previously possible.

Later this year a major oil and chemical protection exercise dubbed SCOPE 2017 will be carried out in Norway. A joint project including major European and Scandinavian stakeholders, the simulated response to a combined oil and chemical spill aims to foster clearer communication and coordination of spill response across agencies and physical country boundaries. Stig Wahlstrøm, Project Manager SCOPE 2017, Norwegian Coastal Administration and Johan Marius Ly, Director, Department for Emergency Response, explain.

Approximately 200 guests celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Marine Training Center (MTC) on the Kiribati island of Tarawa in the South Pacific. Although some 13,700 kilometers lie between Hamburg and the school in Tarawa, these places are closely connected. Hamburg Süd cofounded the school for training seafarers 50 years ago. The company is also the managing partner of the joint venture SPMS (South Pacific Marine Services GbR), which brokers the placement of trained seafarers with the partner shipping companies. In addition to Hamburg Süd, the sponsors of training, and Kiribati’s largest employers, include the shipping companies Aug. Bolten, F. Laeisz, Fisser & van Doornum, Leonhardt & Blumberg, and Reederei Nord.

A five-day workshop on maritime security and The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code concluded today in Maputo, Mozambique (24 -28 July). The course provided port facility security officers with the necessary knowledge to perform their duties in accordance with the requirements of key IMO maritime security measures*. As a results, participants improved their knowledge and skills of those requirements with a view to train others with similar responsibilities.

Australian Maritime Systems Group is entering into a joint venture with one of Europe’s leading marine technology companies as part of a tender for Australia’s next giant defence contract. The Brisbane-based company is partnering with Dutch firm Alewijnse Marine to support the Damen Group’s bid to build the next generation of 12 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Royal Australian Navy. The vessels will be mainly constructed in Adelaide and Perth, but AMSG’s involvement would generate highly-skilled and long-term electrical engineering jobs for the Queensland-based company.

Members of the Houston Pilots recently participated in two custom-built simulation courses vital to their Pilotage duties in the Houston Ship Channel and the Port of Houston, the largest landlocked Port in America. Each course was two days long, and was provided by the Maritime Simulation Resource Center (MSRC), at their Quebec City, Canada-based facility. The Houston Pilots face a multitude of factors when piloting ships in their waterways, including weather and wind, particularly with large ships, a very small turning basin, as well as intricate 24/7 traffic management.

Identifying and dealing with potential threats to port security operations was at the core of a three-day workshop in Belize City, Belize (18-20 July). The event took a closer look at security needs and associated risks. Through interactive presentations and discussions between participants the workshop helped identify opportunities for increased collaboration between government agencies and port owners/operators as well as assessing port security training priorities. The workshop…

The use of oil spill dispersants, which can be used to break down an oil slick into smaller droplets as part of response efforts, is the subject of a workshop taking place in Dakar, Senegal (17-20 July). Participants from 11 countries (Benin, the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Togo) are attending the sub-regional workshop, which will analyse national policies on dispersant use and provide training on further development and implementation of these policies.

Duke University said it has received $11 million for the construction and operation of a new state-of-the-art vessel that will expand teaching and research capabilities at its marine lab. The gift to the Nicholas School of the Environment from the Grainger Family Descendants Fund, a donor-advised fund at The Chicago Community Trust, provides $5 million to build the new 68-foot oceangoing research vessel and an additional $6 million to support operating costs. The ship will have wet labs and dry labs, oceanographic equipment, a galley and sleeping quarters. It will be an oceangoing classroom to train undergraduate and graduate students in oceanography and marine biology at the Duke Marine Lab at Beaufort, N.C.

The Greek shipping community is confident that Greece can be a maritime center in near term, said a research report. A study -‘repositioning Greece as a global maritime capital' - conducted by  Ernest & Young in cooperation with Aegean University professor Thanos Pallis said that Greece, especially the port of Piraeus, is viewed as future competitors of Asia’s aggressive shipping hubs in the coming decade. The study gauging the views and forecasts of 779 Greek shipping executives revealed that the most attractive and comprehensive framework among  shipping hubs or “clusters” today is Piraeus…

Students from the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) visited International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters for their student forum (11-12 July). Its theme was that of IMO’s World Maritime Day - “Connecting Ships, Ports and People”. The visit, which brought over 60 students from all over the world, provided a unique opportunity for young people to learn more about IMO and the maritime industry. The students also took part in workshops where they tackled real industry issues such as attracting and retaining seafarers…

The Ministry of Shipping in India is organizing a workshop titled ‘Promoting Coastal Shipping and Inland Navigation in India’ in Bhubaneswar, Odisha state today. This is the second in a series of workshops the Ministry plans to hold over the next 6-8 months to create awareness about the Sagarmala programme amongst the stake holders and to engage with them. India’s 7500 kms of coastline and almost 14,000 kms of navigable rivers provide the perfect platform for the development of integrated water based transport system for domestic and EXIM freight as well as passenger transport.

Naval architect Ryan Rendall has joined the naval architecture, marine engineering and marine surveying firm The Shearer Group, Inc. (TSGI).   Prior to joining TSGI, Rendall worked for Metal Shark Boats as a naval architect and marine engineer. He received a B.S. in Marine Engineering from Texas A&M University. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers and the Marine Technology Society.

In the world of maritime training, MSRC has carved a unique niche in the training of pilots. Founded in 2005, MSRC is a division of the Corporation of Lower St. Lawrence Pilots (CLSLP). The MSRC is a purpose-built simulator with a fully instrumented DNV Class “A” configured bridge with 330° visuals that exceed the requirements of the 1995 STCW Convention. MSRC’s Full Mission Simulator (FMS) is one of the most advanced simulators of its type and is continually being upgraded. The Center is also equipped with three fully instrumented ship bridges, with a horizontal view of 240°.

The Institute of Marine Technology located at Warner University in Lake Wales, Fla. has recently established and is now officially launching a robust “full ride” scholarship program available by application for students participating in its innovative marine technical training program for the upcoming 2017 – 2018 Fall enrollment. Three full scholarships of up to $28,000 each are now available, and cover full tuition costs for a one-year period, excluding housing and food. Inaugural scholarships recipients will include one male, one female, and one former member of a high school bass club.

A busy Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 71) is now under way at  International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters in London (3-7 July). A key item on the agenda is the implementation of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention, which will enter into force on 8 September 2017. The Committee will consider draft amendments to the BWM Convention which will determine the implementation schedule for installations of ballast water management systems. Following ratification by Greece last week (on 26 June)…

Recent improvements in the design efficiency of new ships went into reverse last year, a new independent study has found. According to the CE Delft study the average design efficiency of new bulk carriers, oil tankers and gas carriers was worse in 2016 than in 2015. The share of new ships complying with future efficiency standards also decreased in 2016. The design efficiency of containerships and general cargo ships appears to be stagnating after a period of improvement. The…

The MoU establishes a partnership between the three organizations to conduct recurring global surveys on seafarer training practices in industry and sets out the guiding principles and terms by which WMU, Marine Learning Systems and New Wave Media will conduct these surveys as well as publicize the findings. Speaking at the signing, WMU President, Dr. Doumbia-Henry noted that for many decades there has been a dearth of information regarding how the industry actually manages, delivers and assesses training within and beyond the framework of the requirements of the STCW Convention, as amended.

A regional workshop focusing on this year’s World Maritime Day theme - Connecting Ships, Ports and People – has been held in Buenos Aires, Argentina (26-29 June). The event, organized by International Maritime Organization (IMO) in collaboration with the Argentine Maritime Authority (Prefectura Naval Argentina), aimed to promote cooperation between ports and designated authorities of participating countries through an open discussion and by sharing experiences and best practices related to maritime security.

Port Hedland Mayor, Camilo Blanco, and the Town of Port Hedland’s CEO, David Pentz, attended the launch of the LNG Marine Fuel Institute at Parliament House, Canberra on Wednesday, June 21. The Institute, which was opened by The Honorable Josh Frydenberg MP, Federal Minister for the Environment and Energy, hopes to see Australian LNG as the primary fuel for marine transportation, powering the road, rail and mining industries. Mayor Blanco said that the Institute will work with industry and Government partners to position Australia at the forefront of LNG…

Work to promote energy-efficient shipping is underway at the newly-established Caribbean Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTCC) with a conference at the Centre’s headquarters at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (27-28 June). The Centre is part of the global network for energy-efficient shipping under the GMN project, funded by the European Union and run by International Maritime Organization (IMO). The conference is the first regional event to take place under the project, which has established a network of five such regional MTCCs.

Recovering someone who has fallen into the water is no easy task, especially if the victim is unconscious or lethargic due to cold temperatures. Training is essential to prepare potential rescuers for how difficult it can actually be. The OSCAR Water-Rescue Training Dummy from Emerald Marine Products is used by safety instructors across North America for teaching people what it's like to retrieve a lifeless, 180 lb. adult. "It's definitely eye-opening," says Alaska Marine Safety…

In 2024, Denmark will be hosting European Maritime Day with more than 1,000 participants. With its maritime surroundings, the city of Svendborg will be the setting of the conference, said a press release from Danish Maritime Authority. European Maritime Day is one of Europe's largest maritime conferences. The Council of the European Union has awarded Denmark the honour of hosting the conference in 2024. Earlier this year, the Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs nominated Svendborg as the Danish candidate city.

Completing her maiden voyage, the Damen Multi-role Aviation Training Vessel (MATV) MV Sycamore arrived in Sydney harbor early on Monday morning. The 94-meter-long vessel is now less than a month away from deployment as a versatile multi-role vessel and helicopter training platform for the Royal Australian Navy. “It is definitely an impressive sight to see the Sycamore enter Sydney harbor,” said Damen Sales Director Asia Pacific Roland Briene. “The MATV project really highlights what can be achieved with this joint team effort.

Everyone responsible for safety or training in their organization is aware that everything is changing in the maritime world. The worker demographic has shifted; regulatory demand is rising; and compliance is more complex. Accidents are more public and the consequences more severe. Ignoring this changing operational context means we are creating risk for tomorrow – a risk that increases every day until finally something gives. It has become increasingly difficult and risky to operate in today’s environment using yesterday’s tools and processes.

The newly established GMN project on maritime technology cooperation, run by IMO and funded by the European Union, has held its first ever national workshop in Mombasa, Kenya (19-20 June). The event brought together 67 participants to discuss ways to bring shipping into a low carbon future. The GMN maritime technology project, run by IMO and funded by the European Union, has issued a call for expressions of interest from individuals within specified organizations to become members of the GMN Project’s Global Stakeholder Committee (GSC).

Economic stability and sustainable development can be driven by an integrated approach to the maritime sector, including ports, maritime security and facilitation of maritime traffic. Joined-up government policies covering the whole of the maritime sector are critical for the port sector to flourish. These were among key messages delivered by International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Chris Trelawny, who was speaking at the Port Security Technology conference, London, United Kingdom (20 June)…

Step into MPT’s new state-of-the-art S.M.A.R.T. simulation center in Fort Lauderdale and Captain Ted Morley lights up. While the center is packed with the very latest in maritime simulation software and hardware, his eagerness to usher us through the new building transcends any new technology, because at MPT mariner training is personal; it always has been, and if Captain Morley has his way it always will be. It is clear to see that MPT’s new simulation center in Fort Lauderdale is a source of pride for Captain Ted Morley.

Emuge Corp. a manufacturer of high performance taps, drills, end mills and other rotary tools, announced it has established a partnership with Open Mind Technologies AG, a developer of CAM/CAD software solutions worldwide. Recently the companies, which have had a history of collaborating to influence their respective cutting tool and CAM software developments, formally agreed to partner. Both companies will continue to share technical data and best practices on machining applications and programs…

Maritime educators from South Africa are taking part in an  International Maritime Organization (IMO)  training workshop to introduce the topic of energy-efficient ship operation into their teaching curriculums. The workshop, taking place in Durban (19-20 June) was developed under the Organization’s GloMEEP project and supports maritime training institutes to deliver the IMO Model Course 4.05 to seafarers. The course consists of lectures, interactive exercises and videos to enhance the learning experience for crews being trained and…

A tanker collides with an unknown ship off the Ivorian coast, causing a major oil spill. This was the scenario of an oil spill training exercise that took place in Abidjan and Assinie, Côte d’Ivoire (8-9 June). The deployment exercise involved more than 100 participants from various public institutions and the private sector, working together to fight the simulated spill, first at sea and then ashore. The event tested Côte d’Ivoire’s National Oil Spill Contingency Plan, which has been developed over recent years with support from the Global Initiative for West…

Heat transfer, separation and fluid handling technology specialist, Alfa Laval, has expanded its Test & Training Center in Aalborg, Denmark with a new gas testing facility. At the same time it continues developing new technologies in the areas of ballast water treatment, sulfur oxide emission control, touchscreen boiler control, fuel efficiency automation for inert-gas systems and methanol booster systems. Alfa Laval, a global provider of specialized products and engineering solutions based on the key technologies of heat transfer…

The European Economic and Social Committee’s Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI) and The European Parliament (EP) are organizing, with the support of the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, a two-part event to follow-up and consolidate earlier work on shipbreaking and the recycling society. A press release from Shipbreaking Platform said that the event will explore the positive benefits that could accrue to Member States from the increased necessity to recycle the decommissioned floating structures from the oil and gas sector within Europe.

Anastasios Papagiannopoulos, CEO of Common Progress has been elected President of BIMCO has set three clear themes for his two-year presidential term. The first is to promote digitalisation across the industry. BIMCO will be working on a range of projects using convergent technologies to pursue this objective, including applying new advances in software capability to develop a brand new contract editing tool. Promoting digitalisation will be key to achieving the president’s second theme, which is to reduce the administrative burden for the ship’s master.

Skills necessary in dealing with maritime transnational organised crimes at sea, including, piracy, armed robbery against ships, drug trafficking, marine terrorism and more were at the core of a two-week training course which concluded today in Mombasa, Kenya (22 May – 2 June 2017). The course was conducted under the auspices of the JeddahAmendment to Djibouti Code of Conduct 2017, as a joint initiative between the East African Standby Force (EASF), Nordic Advisory and Coordination Staff (NACS) and  International Maritime Organization (IMO).

U.S. Navy to update curriculum and training-related programs for surface force operations and combat systems globally. General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics, was awarded the Training Services for the Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) contract by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division. The single-award contract has a potential value of approximately $244 million for a one-year base period with four option years. General Dynamics will provide training and training-related program support services, from curriculum development to advanced warfare training across the CSCS domain, which includes their 15 learning sites and detachments and International Programs.

Data from maritime safety specialist Propel shows huge potential to reduce risk of serious accidents. “Human failure tops the agenda of many companies though few know how to address it in a proper way. Collaboration, trust and engagement of all personnel -ship and shore- are vital to reduce major accidents. The whole industry needs to change its focus when it comes to improving maritime safety,” said Benedikte Wentworth, CEO of Propel. According to Propel, despite the continuing downward trend in total vessel losses…

The event raised awareness and improved technical knowledge of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs) among officials and other stakeholders in Fiji who may be involved in preparing to submit PSSA proposals in Fiji to IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee. IMO’s Edward Kleverlaan highlighted that PSSAs are similar to marine protected areas – essentially areas that need special protection through action by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) because of their significance for recognised ecological, socioeconomic or scientific reasons. The PSSA scheme fits perfectly within the objective of the Sustainable Development Goal 14, the so-called ‘Ocean Goal’ of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

The key International Maritime Organization (IMO) instrument helping to repress piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden – the Djibouti Code of Conduct – is part of discussions at an international conference in Morocco. The West African Coastal Surveillance and Maritime Security Summit 2017 (AFSEC 17), being held in Casablanca (30 May – 1 June) has heard IMO’s Chris Trelawny present the latest developments of the Code, which is part of IMO’s on-going maritime security work. Mr.

eMaritime group have written a new five-day Simulator Operators Training Course (SOTC) and will launch it with a free one-off session from June 19-23, 2017 at eMaritime Group HQ, Whiteley, Hampshire. The SOTC course has been written to give those who wish to teach on a maritime simulator the necessary skills, teaching techniques and aids within a standard bridge simulator environment. The course is generic to simulator training in general and so can be applied to any make or model of simulator.

A three-day National Maritime Transport Policy (NMTP) workshop has been held in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda (16-18 May). The event provided valuable knowledge and skills to those involved in the development, adoption and review of a NMTP in the country. The exercise is part of a series of workshops and seminars being delivered in various regions of the world to provide training to interested International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member States in the development, adoption and updating of such policies, which are key to a coordinated and integrated approach to maritime transport.

Videotel, a KVH company, launched a new eLearning content delivery platform that is designed to allow users to view its range of maritime training programs on a wide variety of devices, including tablets and mobile phones. According to the company, this paves the way for seafarers to acquire and test knowledge on any device wherever they are on land and sea. The mobile platform harnesses HTML5 responsive-design capabilities, where content can rescale dynamically to any screen size or aspect ratio. Additional features that Videotel has incorporated in its mobile platform include touch navigation, a multi-language capability allowing users to easily switch between languages…

The UK Chamber of Shipping has contacted over 800 parliamentary candidates from around the country, asking them to back its campaign for enhanced support for maritime training. The proposal, called SMarT Plus, would see a doubling in government support to GBP 30 million a year. In return, many leading shipowners will increase the number of seafarers they train and guarantee them their first job. The benefits of this would be significant: British seafarers are among the most productive workers in the UK economy, contributing GBP 17,500 per year more to UK GDP than the average worker.

The SENER (Shanghai) Systems Co. office has signed an agreement with the Register of Fishing Vessels of Hebei Province (RFVHB), in China, to authorize the use of its FORAN system. As a result, the RFVHB will now use FORAN to perform fishing vessel inspections. The RFVHB is a public body belonging to the Register of Fishing Vessels of the People’s Republic of China. The use of FORAN will help the RFVHB to improve the efficiency of vessel inspections, while at the same time encouraging the use of this system for fishing vessel design…

Global ship tracking intelligence company MarineTraffic and the United Nations Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Under the agreement, UNCTAD and MarineTraffic will be sharing information and data that will enable both organizations to enhance their services and allow for more accurate analysis of global trade and shipping trends. Geneva headquartered UNCTAD plays an important role in integrating developing countries into the world economy, with maritime related research, policy analysis and data collection an integral part of this process.

Parker Kittiwake has  announced the launch of the Gold Guide – a definitive reference guide to fuel, hydraulic, and lubricating oil for the marine industry. This first-of-a-kind, comprehensive resource provides vessel owners and operators with all the information needed to understand all aspects of fuel, lube, and hydraulic oil from first principles to testing, monitoring, characteristics and specifications. Furthermore it gives a comprehensive insight into interpreting test results and understanding the potential impact these can have on operational performance and efficiency.

Four cadets at State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College have been awarded Thomas B. Crowley Memorial Scholarships to help further their educational opportunities, Crowley Maritime Corp. announced. Recipients Jacob Ennerfelt, John Szczecinski, Gabrielle McCracken and Kent Napoliello, who will each sail with Crowley this summer, were chosen based on their demonstrated leadership skills, financial need and plans to pursue a career in the marine engineering or shipping industries after graduation.

SUNY Maritime College and EEX Maritime Oy, of Finland, will be working together to encourage entrepreneurs and technological innovations in the maritime industry. The two recently signed a memorandum of agreement that will allow the two to promote collaboration between start-ups, large companies and thought leaders in the maritime industry. The maritime industry is in the midst of a period of change, as technological innovations and advancements change the way the world does business and, increasingly, the way goods transit the globe. “Entrepreneurial start-up companies are, in the current climate, the most dynamic part of the economic landscape, and can also fuel collaboration between larger players,” said Tapio Peltonen, co-founder of EEX Maritime.

Turkey and Pakistan have signed a memorandum of understanding for the sale of four Turkish made corvette warships and 52 Pakistan-made training planes for Ankara's armed forces, Turkey's defence industry undersecretariat said on Wednesday. Karachi Shipyard (KS&EW) will buy four corvettes made under Turkey's MILGEM warship programme, aimed at designing and building locally a fleet of multipurpose corvettes and frigates that will replace older ships. The Turkish defence undersecretariat said the final deal was expected to be signed on June 30. The statement did not provide any financial details. Turkey will buy 52 Super Mushshak training planes from Pakistan Aeronautical Complex - Kamra…

Winterthur Gas & Diesel (WinGD) has inaugurated a new installation of its W-Xpert Full Mission Simulator (FMS) for training complete engine room crews at the Marine Power Academy Training Center of Hudong Heavy Machinery Co. Ltd. (HHM), in Shanghai, China. The simulator joins a network of some 20 further installations at strategic locations around the world. As well as being the first installation of WinGD’s dedicated, multi-touchscreen simulation hardware in China, the Shanghai…

The Project SEAHORSE consortium, led by the University of Strathclyde, brought together experts from across the maritime world to research and implement safety considerations pioneered by the aviation industry – the first project of its kind in the world. It has been recognized with the Maritime Safety Award from the Royal Institution of Naval Architects in association with Lloyd’s Register. Headed up by Professor Osman Turan from the University of Strathclyde’s Department of Naval Architecture…

A three-week training course on maritime law enforcement for the Middle Eastern countries surrounding the Gulf of Aden concluded  May 4 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The course brought together specialists from 14 signatory countries* to the Djibouti Code of Conduct – the IMO instrument helping to repress piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. Participants covered topics covered under the recently adopted Jeddah amendment to the Djibouti Code – such as how to suppress a range of illicit activities.

Marine fires have been some of the toughest fires for anyone to fight. Whether it’s a fire on your own boat, or a vessel you are escorting or working with you will need to know what you are doing if you wish to operate safely. Marine Firefighting Inc. has been training mariners as well as land-based firefighters to deal with all types of marine fires for more than 17-years. Much of our mariner training dealt with work boats built with powerful firefighting pumps and fire monitors used to deal with liquefied natural gas (LNG) ships and offshore facility fires.

Maritime educators from Panama and Jamaica are taking part in an International Maritime Organization (IMO) training workshop to introduce the topic of energy-efficient ship operation into their teaching curriculums. The workshop, taking place in Panama City, Panama (25-26 April) was developed under the Organization’s GloMEEP project and supports maritime training institutes to deliver the IMO Model Course 4.05 to seafarers. The course consists of lectures, interactive exercises and videos to enhance the learning experience for crews being trained in the two countries…

The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) has approved use of Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWTP) grants to cover the cost of Offshore Service Vessel Dynamic Positioning Authority, Inc. (OSVDPA) Phase 4 Assessments. “It’s great to see the Louisiana Workforce Commission recognize the OSVDPA’s assessments as an important part of the professional development of mariners,” said OSVDPA Executive Director, Aaron Smith. In addition to two classroom courses and two periods of on board experience gathering…

Philippine-born Ananya Surangpimol won a prestigious scholarship to Japan in 1971 and, after a year of intensive Japanese, entered Tokyo University of Fisheries, one of the first Asian women to do so in a former all-male imperial university. There she completed a master’s degree in food science but one of her favorite memories of her attendance at this former naval academy was being required to swim a kilometer in the open sea and row a big 12-oar cutter in her freshman year.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced that International Maritime University of Panama (UMIP) has been selected to host the regional Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTCC) for the Latin America region, under an ambitious project, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by IMO, to help mitigate the harmful effects of climate change. Under the Global MTTC Network (GMN) project, UMIP will host MTCC-Latin America. The selection of UMIP followed a competitive international tendering process. UMIP joins MTCCs in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.

The UK P&I Club’s Loss Prevention Department, in conjunction with the IMCS Training Academy, advises on the importance of hatch cover maintenance: “Whether a ship’s hatch covers are weathertight is a seemingly simple question that should have a “Yes” or “No” answer. However, coming to the right conclusion is not as easy as may initially be assumed, requiring an understanding of hatch covers, their operation and industry requirements. “Ensuring hatch covers are well maintained…

The USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 successfully completed its final pre-deployment assessment, Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), April 21, marking the completion of its condensed Inter-Deployment Training Cycle (IDTC) for an upcoming deployment. COMPTUEX is an exercise that tests a strike group's ability to work and operate as one cohesive unit in a simulated real-world-scenario based training environment. Nimitz was joined by CSG 11, to include Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, to prove their operational capabilities prior to deploying.

Canada's Atlantic Pilotage Authority (APA) once again chose the Maritime Simulation and Resource Centre (MSRC) as its preferred training organization for specialized SEAiq training on Portable Pilot Units (PPUs). A total of 16 pilots from Cape Breton Island Pilotage were trained by MSRC's Captain Bernard Cayer in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. PPUs are mobile devices such as laptops or tablets that can plug in to a ship’s navigation system, giving pilots added situational awareness, including access to real-time downloadable local navigational information.

The MPA Academy – the training arm of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) – in partnership with the Singapore Management University (SMU) and Human Capital Leadership Institute, has officially launched its 2nd Advanced Maritime Leaders’ Programme (AMLP). Taking place from 20 to 25 April 2017, the six-day programme will gather 19 senior maritime and port officials from all regions including, Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Oceania.

In a collaborative project with Australian industry, the Royal Australian Navy is extending its use of simulation to electronic warfare training. A common electronic warfare sensor suite is planned across the future fleet and future electronic warfare sailors need to have the advanced skills to meet upcoming demand. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne said a contract signed with the Australian company Cirrus Real Time Processing Systems would result in advanced new maritime training systems designed and developed in Australia.

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy will host President Donald J. Trump, who is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at graduation on Wednesday May 17. "Every commencement is a special occasion, but it is particularly memorable when the President presents our future leaders with their commissions,” said Academy Superintendent Rear Adm. James E. Rendon. The President traditionally addresses the graduating class at one of the federal service academies on a rotating basis. President Obama came to the Academy in 2015.

The SENER engineering and technology group has signed a contract with shipyard Bertolini Construção Naval da Amazônia Ltda (BECONAL), providing it with a license to use its marine design and construction system, FORAN. The scope of the contract covers installation of the FORAN system and provision of permanent licenses, including the Hull Forms, General Arrangement, Naval Architecture, Hull Structure, Machinery and Outfitting, Electrical Design, and Drafting disciplines. In addition, SENER is to give various training courses to the shipyard’s personnel.

Antwerp Port Authority has supported Hydrex Underwater Technologies’ plan to expand its existing 5000m² site on Asiadok on the River Scheldt with new workshops and offices. As part of its expansion, the result of organic growth over the past two years, Hydrex has also refurbished its dive support workboats and increased its manpower by 25 percent to strengthen its diver-technician capability. Hydrex Chairman Boud Van Rompay said, “The new facility together with our recent recruitment drive is consequent of market demand for swift and cost-effective underwater hull and running gear care.

Perhaps one the most obscure skill sets in today’s rapidly emerging workboat landscape is also arguably its most important. Kongsberg today remains at the cutting edge of DP training and credentialing efforts. Not lost in last month’s Offshore Service Vessel Dynamic Positioning Authority (OSVDPA) announcement that Kongsberg Maritime’s Houston training center had been accredited to conduct OSVDPA dynamic positioning operator (DPO) training courses and assessments was the fact that Kongsberg has been offering DP training for many years.

Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of the Emirate's commercial and community ports, as well as Khalifa Industrial Zone, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Jaheziya, the brand name for Tawazun’s Safety, Security and Disaster Management City. The Emirates News Agency WAM reported that Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, and Jamal Mohamed Al Shamsi, Jaheziya Managing Director signed the MOU at Abu Dhabi Ports Headquarters.

U.K. safety training company Stream Marine Training (SMT) has broken ground on a major project to refurbish its newly purchased 20,000 sq ft headquarters at Glasgow Airport. SMT was founded in 2014 by Martin White at smaller premises at Glasgow Airport. SMT specializes in providing firefighting, sea survival, rescue craft and health & safety courses to the maritime, oil and gas, renewables and construction sectors. In just two years SMT has grown turnover rapidly to circa £2 million with 22 full-time staff and 15 consultants.

NYC Ferry operated by Hornblower is teaming up with the oldest merchant marine academy in the country to deliver a world class training program before a majority of the new NYC Ferry vessels even arrive in New York Harbor. SUNY Maritime College was founded in 1874 as the New York Nautical School, the first school in the nation devoted to training merchant mariners. As part of this new collaboration between NYC Ferry and SUNY Maritime, future captains and crew will have access to SUNY Maritime’s top notch classroom facilities and experienced maritime faculty.

MISC Berhad has chosen eMaritime Group's ACAT online courses as its ECDIS type specific continuous personal development training solution. The agreement has enabled MISC to sign up its entire fleet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers while being able to effortlessly monitor all students progress themselves via an online portal on the three different systems throughout their fleet; namely JRC 901, JRC 9201 and FURUNO FEA. ECDIS Annual Competency Assurance Training (Or ACAT)…

ABB’s Marine Academy has been recognized by classification society DNV GL for meeting its standards for maritime training. Operating in six locations around the globe, ABB’s Marine Academy aims to reduce vessel downtime and improve safety through education. ABB was awarded the DNV GL SeaSkill certificate following an extensive audit by the classification society and it will be valid for the next five years. With electrical systems playing a greater role onboard, ABB is seeing a strong demand from the maritime sector to ensure the skills of crew members remain up-to-date.

An essential event for all Common Marine Inspection Document (eCMID) and Marine Inspection for Small Workboats (eMISW) stakeholders. The forthcoming Accredited Vessel Inspector (AVI) Conference will be taking place at the Novotel at Schiphol Airport Amsterdam on Tuesday April 25, 2017. This Conference is designed to provide a range of updates to AVIs on the current state and future development of the eCMID system. However, it is open to all vessel inspectors who have yet to be…

The Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies of the Senate Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing on 5 April to examine protecting midshipmen, focusing on preventing sexual assault and sexual harassment at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.   Senator Susan Collins (R- ME) will chair the meeting.   Details of the event can be found HERE   Witnesses will include:   Mr. Joel Szabat / Executive Director / U.S. Maritime Administration Rear Admiral James Helis / Superintendent / U.S. Merchant Marine Academy The Honorable Calvin Scovel, III / Inspector General / U.S. Department of Transportation

Australia's amphibious ships are driving responsibility and challenges to all levels of the crew, with leading seamen taking 'commanding' roles on the new landing craft. Leading Seaman Boatswains Mate Edward Holcombe is one of those sailors, in charge of one of HMAS Adelaide's landing craft - critical to the operational capability of the ‘mother-ship’. The craft are used to land and retrieve troops, vehicles and equipment on beaches as part of Adelaide’s amphibious capabilities. With four craft on board they can project 80 per cent of the amphibious power of the ship.

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) holds regular workshops to engage with the eCMID community including vessel operators, inspectors, and clients. The next workshop being held at Oceaneering International’s facility in Stavanger, Norway on the afternoon of Monday May 29, like all such workshops in 2017, has as its core theme how IMCA vessel inspection tools can assist in vessel assurance efforts for offshore contractors – in particular, for vessels brought out of lay-up, and as part of ISM code requirements.

Bouncing over the waves at a speed of 43 knots, the director of the Defense Materiel Organization (DMO) Vice Admiral Arie Jan de Waard, and MARIN’s director Bas Buchner, made the first test voyage on the moving ‘Fast Small Ship Simulator.’ This FSSS is built by MARIN and SME partners, Cruden and TreeC, as part of a CODEMO project to stimulate the development of a prototype. Vice Admiral De Waard felt the test was very realistic and said: “You feel as if you are involved in a complex operation at sea.

While much of the maritime world slumps, the cruise sector is enjoying its most vibrant growth in a generation. Carnival Corporation, in particular, is doing very well as its financial performance is stronger than ever, with 2016 delivering the best year of earnings in company history. The company’s adjusted earnings for 2016 of $2.6 billion is the best annual financial performance in its 44-year history. With that, Hans Hederstrom, Managing Director give overview of CSMART, one of the newest and richly appointed simulation centers on the planet.