Maritime Training News

BMT’s integrated navigation and maneuvering simulator suite REMBRANDT has been awarded Class A, B and C certification from DNV GL. The certification further builds on BMT REMBRANDT’s 30-year history as one of the maritime industry’s most recognized advanced project engineering support tools, supporting marine pilotage, ship operations, port design and risk management associated with complex transportation infrastructure systems.This classification award verifies BMT as a quality…

Kongsberg has landed its largest ever simulator contract in a SGD 21.2 million ($15.4 million) deal with the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs. The contract, executed by Kongsberg Digital Maritime Simulation, will see the delivery in Q1 2020 of four advanced K-Sim Tactical Boat Handling and Firing Simulators with a 10 year comprehensive maintenance agreement to the Singapore Police Coast Guard.The new simulator facility is being established to provide highly realistic Tactical Boat Handling and Fast Interception training for the Singapore Police Coast Guard.

Vessel Construction Manager Will Deliver National Security Multi-Mission Vessel. Today, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit for a Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) to deliver a new class of training ships referred to as a National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV). The VCM selected by MARAD will contract with a qualified shipyard to ensure that commercial best practices are utilized in delivering the NSMV on time and on budget.“A new multi-mission vessel built by an American Shipyard will not only create new jobs…

Galileo Maritime Academy has this month announced the completion of its new architect designed professional crew training center and crew residence in Phuket, Thailand.The “T” shaped buildings comprise state-of-the-art training and recreation rooms, a seafarer medical center, a culinary arts and hospitality school, a three meter deep survival training pool and first class accommodation for 30 students.This central complex is located just above Yacht Haven Marina, the largest superyacht marina in Asia…

By Michael Manuel, Associate Professor, Head - Maritime, Education and Training (World Maritime University);Murray Goldberg, President and CEO (Marine Learning Systems); and Greg Trauthwein, Editor & Associate Publisher (New Wave Media)The second annual global Maritime Training Insights Database survey examines the impact of the autonomy trend in maritime operations on the training of future “seafarers”The Maritime Training Insights Database (MarTID) steering group is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the 2019 MarTID survey…

Webb Institute, a four-year college specializing in naval architecture and marine engineering, has announced that the 2018-19 academic year recipients of Crowley Maritime Corporation’s Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship are Taylor Campbell (Class of 2019) and Reneé Tremblay (Class of 2020).Webb’s scholarship selection committee chose Tremblay of Bristol, R.I., and Campbell of Altoona, Pa., for their hard work, academic excellence, volunteer efforts and the superb leadership…

Issued at the National Quality Steering Committee (NQSC) meeting on July 31, 2018, the American Waterway Operators (AWO) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) issued their annual report that benchmarks and further serves as the annual safety report card for the domestic towing industry. This year, it comes at a particularly timely moment, just on the heels of the deadline for the so-called ‘subchapter M’ towboat rules.The NQSC uses three measures to track overall trends in safety and environmental protection.

Wärtsilä has been selected to provide a full scope of marine simulators for a new training facility at Solent University’s Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering, located in Southampton, England.Scheduled to complete in spring 2019, it will be the largest marine simulation training center in the U.K. The contract with Wärtsilä, which was booked in September 2018, is linked to a five-year continuous service agreement.“The simulation center will be a central pillar of our maritime education…

No, using augmented reality to train workers is not a science fiction! The HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) team at APM Terminals Brazil developed an augmented reality (AR) app for employees, contractors and visitors to download on their phones which provided video and 3D information about risks and safety operations in the terminal and office buildings.For Global Safety Day this year, employees and contractors took part in an experiment to see if the new and developing technology…

Blockchain Labs for Open Collaboration (BLOC), has won Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Solve’s Coastal Communities Challenge, for its work in developing shipping Emissions Monitoring Reporting (MRV) solutions.The Blockchain technology and governance specialist said in a press release that it was selected from 33 teams participating in the Solve Challenge Finals, which included a live pitch event at the UN General Assembly week in New York City.The Solver teams were…

Industry leaders from across North America met to discuss global challenges facing the maritime sector at the annual ABS North American Regional Committee.The group heard strategies to meet the IMO’s 2020 Sulfur Cap, as well as a look ahead to 2030 when vessel data will play a significant role in compliance management.“Thanks to our deep links with industry across North America, ABS continues to leverage technology to develop new ways of supporting our partners and members. As the leading classification organization in North America…

There is considerable unease among global shippers/BCOs (Beneficial Cargo Owners) and freight forwarders ahead of the IMO’s 2020 global emissions regulations, due to come into force on 1 January 2020, according to a survey conducted by global shipping consultancy Drewry.Particular uncertainty and concern was expressed by respondents in both the survey and follow-up interviews about carriers’ methods of fuel cost recovery with more than half of all respondents (56%) stating that they did not consider their service providers’ existing approaches as either fair or transparent.Further to this…

Africa's Blue Economy, job opportunities, mentorship, marine environmental protection and addressing gender-based violence, were at the core of the 9th regional conference of the Association of Women Managers in the Maritime Sector in Eastern and Southern Africa (WOMESA) held recently in Antananarivo, Madagascar.Under the theme "Opportunities and challenges facing African women in advancing the maritime sector", some 60 participants from the region discussed and exchanged ideas on the empowerment of women in the African maritime sector…

OSVDPA accredits Texas A&M Maritime Academy to provide dynamic positioning (DP) training to its cadets.In early September, the Offshore Service Vessel Dynamic Positioning Authority (OSVDPA) announced that the Texas A&M Maritime Academy at Texas A&M University at Galveston was now the first maritime academy in the nation accredited to provide OSVDPA courses to its cadets. For any U.S. maritime academy, most if not all of them traditionally focused on sending out graduates ready for blue water, deep water service, this represents a sea change in training.

The Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Natonal Center of Expertise, industry experts provide technical training for future LNG fueled vessel inspectors.The Coast Guard’s Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise (LGC NCOE) partnered with Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville to coordinate a four-day “LNG as Fuel Workshop” Sept. 17-20, 2018, for future inspectors of LNG fueled vessels, with support from industry experts and the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Center.Together, this team of LNG as fuel specialists provided Coast Guard marine inspectors from across the U.S.

Rodolphe Saadé, chairman and chief executive officer of CMA CGM Group  and French minister in charge of transport Elisabeth Borne inaugurated ZeBox, a new start-up incubator and accelerator in Marseilles.Initiated by CMA CGM, ZeBox is a human-sized incubator and accelerator with two objectives: Support start-ups throughout their development by immediately projecting them into an international dimension; and enable large companies to benefit from the innovations developed by these start-ups in their respective business sectors.On the occasion of the inauguration of ZeBox…

Initial reports show that the towing industry is adjusting well to the new normal on inland rivers. In fact, it is business as usual for most.July 20, 2018 was a critical date for tow boat operators. That was the deadline for all U.S.-flag towing vessels – over 26 feet, or less if used to assist with transport of oil or hazardous materials – to be in compliance with Subchapter M, the U.S. Coast Guard’s towing vessel safety regulations. It’s been a long time coming. As a regulatory program…

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point (USMMA) installed John R. Ballard, Ph.D., as the new Academic Dean and Provost in a brief ceremony at the Academy yesterday. Dr. Ballard will serve as the chief academic officer and principal advisor to the Superintendent in all matters relating to the academic program and faculty. He will also co-chair the educational priority working group for the recently released USMMA Strategic Plan.

Nor-Shipping is partnering with business platform SeaFocus in an agreement aimed at connecting maritime companies with talented students.SeaFocus is an international organization, based in Finland, which works to highlight, discuss and enable opportunities within maritime. It’s Intelligence Hunt project sees businesses submit industry case studies and scenarios for teams of international students to address with innovative solutions. For Nor-Shipping 2019’s collaboration the theme…

The Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) participates in Polar Fish 2018 in Sisimiut, Greenland. Focus will be on guidance and information about safety, requirements for ships and the Danish Register of Shipping.Saftety first - The Danish Maritime Authority has been running a campaign aimed at fishermen throughout the summer to get full focus on safety. This year's Polar Fish Fair will follow this campaign.The Danish Maritime Authority cooperate with authorities and private customers in Greenland.

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point (USMMA) will celebrate 75 years since initial dedication in 1943, at homecoming this weekend. Events scheduled include a 75th anniversary dinner, the season’s first home football game for the 2-0 Mariners, a parade by the Regiment of Midshipmen, and the ceremony of Beating Retreat.“We are pleased to welcome alumni classes, families and friends for a jam-packed homecoming weekend at USMMA, especially the 75th anniversary events,” said George Rhynedance…

Representatives from the Coast Guard, offshore oil and gas industries, recognized organizations and numerous industry associations attended the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee semi-annual public meeting in Houston, Texas Sept 11, 2018.Rear Adm. John Nadeau, assistant commandant for prevention policy, attended the meeting and discussed with the Committee the new Coast Guard commandant’s strategic vision for the service as well as the reorganization within the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance to put an increased emphasis on Third Party Organization oversight.During the meeting…

For a long time there has been a deficit of trained maritime officers in Brazil, as for decades the only accredited training institutes were run by the Brazilian Navy, where a very limited number of prospective maritime deck and engine officers could be trained at its two training institutes in the country. That's all changing now with the Institute of Nautical Sciences (ICN) leading the way.With the discovery of the pre-salt in 2007 and the continued growth of the maritime and offshore sectors, the lack of qualified Brazilian officers became acute.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) conducted a ferry emergency exercise  to test the readiness of various agencies in responding to ferry mishaps in the Port of Singapore.More than 100 personnel from ten organisations (Annex) took part in the exercise at sea near Kukor Buoy. The exercise scenario involved the evacuation of 72 passengers on-board a domestic ferry after her grounding on a large underwater object.Passengers were then evacuated onto life rafts and a rescue ferry alongside the grounded vessel.

When a ship comes into port it may be the end of a voyage, but just the beginning of a range of administrative tasks that need to be completed.The port is unlikely to be the final destination for the cargo – which will need to be unloaded and forwarded in a variety of ways. This requires logistics and infrastructure that connects the port to other inland places and regions – known as ‘hinterland connectivity’. This was the issue under the spotlight at the first regional conference of The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) in Abuja…

Kongsberg Digital (KDI) will deliver to GasLog a comprehensive liquefied natural gas (LNG) simulator package designed to enable new levels of safety and operational training for the owner/operator’s professional crews.GasLog operates 27 LNG vessels through its subsidiary, GasLog LNG Services and has seven ships currently on order. The KDI contract represents a commitment and investment on GasLog’s part to provide a high-level training environment for their crews, solely focused on LNG operation.The scope of supply is based on an integrated…

It’s not where you are, it’s where you should not be that mattersCaptain Whyte, a leading marine accident analyst at LOC Group, an independent marine and engineering consultancy which provides services to the shipping and offshore energy industries, explains how electronic data is making accident investigation clearer by providing irrefutable evidence.“Fundamentally, situational awareness underpins everything we do”, said Captain Whyte. “Whether that’s crossing the road or driving ships at sea. We need to know where we are, what we’re doing and where we are going.

High-level officials and decision-makers from maritime and port authorities around the world are undergoing intense training in port management and operational efficiency at the annual Advanced Course on Port Operations and Management based in Le Havre, France (10 September to 12 October).The opening of the course coincided with Le Havre's celebration of World Maritime Day and its theme: International Maritime Organization (IMO) 70 Our heritage – better shipping for a better future.IMO's Chris Trelawny delivered the opening address and lectured on the role of IMO…

The shipping industry is facing unprecedented change. With topics such as new environmental regulations and the opportunities and challenges of digitalisation dominating the conversation, seafarers’ welfare has tended to be overlooked.This trend is slowly changing as the industry continues to recognize the need to professionalize its approach to maritime welfare, but there is a long way to go. True, that there are model owners and operators within the industry who uphold the highest standards of welfare for their crew…

Resilience planning, Info Sharing Take Spotlight“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” That old chestnut gets turned on its head when it comes to port cyber security. It’s more like “Oh what a tangled web we’ve woven, so much harder to stop data stolen.”Ports today have the physical aspect of security pretty well nailed shut - gates, locks, fencing, alarms, cameras, drones, etc. As Chris Mason, Rajant Corp.’s director of sales for EMEA, notes, “Every…

Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that an inauguration ceremony for MOL Magsaysay Maritime Academy (MMMA), jointly operated by MOL and Magsaysay Maritime Corporation (MMC), was held on September 12 in Salitran, Dasmariña City, the Philippines.Around 700 people attended the event, including Senator Grace Poe, Secretary of the Department of Transportation Arthur Tugade, H.E. Koji Haneda, Japanese Ambassador-designate to the Republic of the Philippines, President and CEO Doris Teresa Magsaysay-Ho of A.

International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s work to promote better understanding of - and steps to reduce - emissions in ports has reached Georgia, at a workshop for regional participants from Georgia, Ukraine and Turkey.The event, in Batumi (10-12 September) focused on how to undertake emissions inventories and calculate emissions, including  GHGs and air pollutants. Participants were also introduced to strategies to address emissions from different sources – such as from seagoing vessels…

Video marks Academy's 75th year and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.Alumni of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) released an inspiring video to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the institution and memorialize midshipmen who have died in service to the nation. Over the summer, the USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation (USMMA-AAF) has been executing a multi-faceted campaign to mark the federal academy's decades of service and the foundational role it plays…

Women make up only an estimated two percent of the global maritime industry. In the U.S., the statistics are a little better, with less than eight percent of ship and boat captain operator roles held by women.Still, for a female to have the opportunity to train up to ship captain is considered “unique.” However, as predictions are being made that there will be a shortage of more than 140,000 deck or ship officers worldwide by 2025 (BIMCO/ICS), we will see more accomplished women take the helm and lead the industry forward.

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point (USMMA) announced today that John R. Ballard, Ph.D., has been named the new Academic Dean and Provost at the federal service academy. In this position, Dr. Ballard will serve as the chief academic officer and principal advisor to the Superintendent in all matters relating to the academic program and faculty. He will also co-chair the educational priority working group for the recently released USMMA strategic plan.Dr. Ballard served as a Marine Infantry officer immediately following graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy.

The new Vessel Electric Propulsion Training Center at the Admiral Nevelskoy Maritime State University in Russia will help to prepare seafarers for work on vessels equipped with Azipod propulsion systemsThe center will be used to train MSUN cadets, as well as to provide advanced training to commissioned officers of the merchant fleet. It is also planned to conduct research, including scientific and experimental activities, in the area of automation of electric propulsion and vessel power supply.The establishment of the center follows the trilateral research…

Damen Shipyards Galati has opened an exhibition in the Lower Danube University in the Romanian city of Galati, displaying an extensive collection of historical maritime memorabilia.The exhibition is part of the yard’s 125 year anniversary celebrations that began with the annual Shipbuilder’s Day festivities on 15 August.The exhibition opened on 1 September with a ceremony attended by numerous invited guests including Damen Shipyards Group Board President Jason Bronscheer and the mayor of the city of Galati…

The classification of certain potentially hazardous cargoes is on the agenda of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 5, 10-14 September).The Sub-Committee will consider a newly identified phenomenon which affects some bauxite cargoes, known as dynamic separation, which can cause instability of the cargo and ship.Also up for discussion is carriage of ammonium-nitrate based fertilizer. Potential problems have been…

Confidence in the ability of sound risk management to contribute to commercial success in the shipping industry has fallen in the last 12 months, according to the latest annual Shipping Risk Survey from Moore Stephens.Respondents to the survey rated the extent to which enterprise and business risk management is contributing to the success of their organisation at an average 5.9 out of a possible score of 10.0, compared to 6.8 in the 2017 survey.Brokers returned the highest rating, followed by ship managers.

Four U.S. Coast Guard crew members were injured in a collision between two tactical boat crews during training off Falmouth, Mass. Wednesday.The Coast Guard said the injuries were non-life-threatening.Both 29-foot response boat small vessels were damaged when they collided at around 1:30 p.m. in Buzzards Bay. The boats returned to Station Woods Hole under their own power.The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Indian Ministry of Shipping, through its flagship programme Sagarmala, is closely working with Government of Gujarat state and other stakeholders to showcase India's rich maritime heritage through development of a World Class Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal in the state of Gujarat.Preliminary work on design elements of the proposed heritage complex has been completed and consultations from experts are now under process. In order to further plan and take the project forward, a one day consultation workshop was held at Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sanghralaya in Mumbai.

Polaris and Falck have signed an agreement whereby Polaris will acquire 100 percent of the shares in Falck Safety Services Holding A/S and take over all Safety Services activities in Falck for an undisclosed sales price. This transaction, expected to close during September 2018, also includes the Falck Fire Academy in the Netherlands.Falck President & CEO Jakob Riis said, “We are focusing our business and reducing complexity to build leadership in our core business areas. Safety Services is a leader in rescue and safety training.

Maritime newbuild projects, conversions and maintenance projects have at least one thing in common: millions are lost in search for the right information. About 30 percent of all work within these maritime projects consist of unnecessary searching, searching and more searching for data. The right data. This of course has a cause and luckily there is also a solution.First of all the cause. I visit many maritime companies that have heard of digital transformation, but are unable to give it any real interpretation. For most of them it remains a big cloud.

This 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…

As the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season unfolds, millions of people along the Eastern seaboard of the USA are keeping a careful watch on the weather forecast. What are researchers doing to improve the prediction of hurricane intensity – and ultimately help save lives?While experts are able to predict the track a hurricane will take with increasing accuracy, predicting their intensity is much more of a challenge.“We saw several times in this last hurricane season where storms just intensified really rapidly…

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point (USMMA) said its Bachelor of Science degree programs in Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management, and Marine Engineering Systems have been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. The accreditation assures the academic programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies…

A&M becomes first U.S. Maritime Academy to teach accredited DP courses.The Offshore Service Vessel Dynamic Positioning Authority (OSVDPA) has announced that Texas A&M Maritime Academy (TAMMA) is accredited to provide OSVDPA courses to its cadets. TAMMA, in Galveston, Texas, is the first Maritime Academy in the United States to be accredited by a dynamic positioning operator (DPO) certification body.In announcing the accreditation, OSVDPA Executive Director, Aaron Smith, said, “The OSVDPA Board of Directors and our staff are very excited to issue this accreditation.

Finland is a traditional marine tech hub, with almost 90 company members in the Finnish Maritime Industries association. While the country has a storied maritime history across many sectors, based on geographic locale, it’s Arctic and ice marine technology is second to none, and it’s hoping the U.S. Coast Guard is taking notice.The Finnish maritime industry is hoping to get involved in developing the new icebreakers for the U.S. Coast Guard polar icebreaker program. Ulla Lainio…

Matthieu de Tugny, COO, BV on the biggest challenge in autonomous shippingThe regulatory environment, from the IMO, IACS to the flag level, is very sensitive, because you’re talking about people, too. In the 1970s was when we developed the first automation notations for unmanned machinery spaces, the first issue we had was with the trade unions, as it was removing people from the machinery spaces. It’s a flag state issue, it’s a port state issue … to be honest before we talk about autonomous ships we should talk about smart ships…

After 10 years at the helm, Harry Bolton handed over command of the Training Ship Golden Bear Wednesday at California State University Maritime Academy.Bolton, a 1978 graduate of the Academy, returned to Cal Maritime on May 1, 2008 after a 30-year career with American Maritime Officers. Twenty of those years were with American Overseas Marine Corporation (AMSEA) aboard the original preposition ships based out of Guam, Saipan and Diego Garcia. Bolton began sailing as Master in 1985, only seven years after graduation.Dr.

AIDAnova is due to usher in a new era at the end of the year when it becomes the first cruise ship that can run on environmentally-friendly liquefied natural gas (LNG). To fully prepare the captains and officers for this technological changeover, a series of practical training sessions at sea started in June. The basis of this training project is a new cooperation between Carnival Maritime and Wessels Reederei, which is providing the LNG-powered container ship WES Amelie for training…

Marine and offshore vessel management and support services provider V.Group has engaged with management consultancy Accenture to transform its approach to crew management. Named Embark, the project seeks to develop an in-house shared services model which streamlines and optimizes key processes for V.Group’s seafarers, customers and colleagues. Embark will see the introduction of new and enhanced technology to support these shared services and digitize the shipowner and seafarer experience.For customers…

ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) and Philippine Coast Guard this week co-organised a meeting between government agencies and the shipping industry to enhance maritime safety and security in the Sulu-Celebes seas and waters off eastern Sabah.The meeting brought together key littoral stakeholders including relevant government agencies in the Philippines, the Philippine shipping industry, the Indonesia Coast Guard (BAKAMLA), as well as members of the diplomatic community in Manila to review the current situation in the Sulu-Celebes Seas…

International Maritime Organization (IMO) is supporting countries from the Gulf of Guinea region in their plans to enhance maritime security.Participants from 10 countries - Benin, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Senegal and Togo, as well as international partners such as INTERPOL and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office - are taking part in a workshop in Monterey, USA (6-10 August) on developing and refining their work plans. This includes…

Weeks Marine, Inc. visited Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) in Lacombe, La. on July 18 to announce major contributions, totaling $500,000, to support the college’s maritime training program and scholarship fund.Richard “Dick” Weeks, Chairman of Weeks Marine, travelled from the company’s headquarters in Cranford, N.J. to view progress on the construction of NTCC’s second building at the Lacombe Campus. A longtime supporter of higher education and workforce training, Mr.

The National Workboat Association (NWA), the safety standards, skills and trade association for the workboat industry, has announced that the Workboat Crewmember Apprenticeship standard has been finalized, paving the way for the scheme to be rolled out this summer by training providers across England and Wales.The development of the Apprenticeship comes in response to a growing skills and crewing challenge highlighted by NWA members and the wider maritime sector, as experienced seafarers leave the industry, often for retirement, and numbers of young people entering the industry have fallen.

Thordon Bearings Inc. and Heddle Marine Service Inc. have signed a cooperative agreement under which the Canada-based ship repair company will work together with Thordon Bearings Inc. to promote the conversion of ships’ oil lubricated propeller shafts to Thordon’s COMPAC open seawater lubricated bearing system.The agreement will create an action plan in which a specialist team, comprised of Heddle Marine and Thordon Bearings’ personnel, to offer support to ship managers and owners…

The words of General Darren McDew rang true to Massachusetts Maritime Academy's nearly 400 graduates on a beautiful, albeit rain soaked, Saturday this past June.General McDew, who received an honorary doctorate at the 2018 Commencement, leads the United States Transportation Command and, in that role, oversees our nation’s projection of force wherever it is required in the world. Joining General McDew in receiving honorary doctorates were Dr. James S.J. Chao, Foremost Group Founder…

Today, the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point issued its new strategic plan providing guidance and direction for the near-term future of the Academy.The plan, entitled The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Strategic Plan 2018-2023: Navigating Towards the Future Together, describes strategic priorities that will guide the institution for the next five years and beyond, including enriching educational programs; improving institutional culture; infrastructure planning…

The British Ports Association (BPA) will be holding a short targeted seminar on Thursday 29 November to discuss coastal shipping in the UK with ports and operators. In comparison with other transport modes, shipping is an efficient and environmentally sustainable option.Utilising the UK’s hundreds of ports in supporting more coastal shipping has the potential to improve connectivity between regions.Commenting on the importance of coastal shipping (moving freight within the UK by sea) and what will be discussed at the seminar…

Bahri, a global leader in logistics and transportation, has successfully completed the first edition of ‘SAIFI’, a summer training program for undergraduate students in the Kingdom, launched jointly by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MOLSD) and the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF).Aimed at training and developing practical skills among the country’s youth, the four-week internship program ran from 8 July until 2 August, with the participation of 15 male and…

Shipping forms the backbone of world trade, transporting around 80% of global trade by volume. No other method of mass transportation is as cost-effective or fuel-efficient.Each day, around 50,000 merchant ships deliver the things people need and want – from food, to clothes, fuel, raw materials, electronics, medication and more. The security of maritime trade is therefore paramount to people all over the world.One way in which International Maritime Organization (IMO) supports maritime security is through targeted workshops supporting countries to implement IMO measures.

Sixty-one young men and women will be starting their three-year apprenticeship at Hapag-Lloyd tomorrow. While some of them will spend the lion’s share of this time on container ships, the on-shore apprentices will cycle through various national and international departments, which will allow them to familiarize themselves with the company from a range of perspectives.“Qualified and motivated employees are a decisive factor in a dynamic sector like container shipping,” said Joachim Schlotfeldt, Chief Personnel and Global Procurement Officer (CPO) at Hapag-Lloyd.

A record 400 tertiary students attended  annual Singapore Maritime Dialogue (SMD), organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).This is the first time MPA has teamed up with students from the National University of Singapore to engage and encourage their peers to participate in the SMD.Centred on the theme “Building a Future-Ready Maritime Singapore”, the panel comprising Guest-of-Honour, Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Transport and Health, Dr Lam Pin Min…

Naval and merchant maritime experts partnered together to deliver enhanced maritime domain awareness (MDA) for the first time in a Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in 2018.MDA is the ability to maintain situational awareness of seagoing vessel movements, and is used to assess the normal patterns of life on major trade routes. Their interaction provided an adaptive capability that is an important part of maritime security operations.This capability is a critical supporting element in the effort to maintain freedom of navigation…

Malaysian maritime officials are touring the Port of Bintulu on Borneo island as part of an International Maritime Organization (IMO)  training package helping countries to reduce emissions in ports.Thirty participants from authorities and ports across Malaysia are taking part in the event (24-26 July), with the aim of gaining improved expertise on assessing emissions in ports and devising strategies to address those emissions.The result – better air quality for local populations…

In an industry facing significant skill shortages many organizations are ready to take a fresh approach to recruiting and retaining women in the shipping workplace. According to Lee Clarke, Regional Director – Northern Hemisphere at Dynama, the first place to start is establishing an accurate gender profile of your organization using workforce management technology.Of the estimated 1.25 million seafarers in the world, fewer than 2% of them are thought to be women. For example…

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is set to make a sizeable contribution to the global economy by 2023. This is according to a new global study launched today by Inmarsat , the world’s leading mobile satellite communications company, which found that organisations, across the global supply chain, expect IIoT to be increasing their annual revenues by 10 per cent within 5 years.The Industrial Internet of Things is set to revolutionise how businesses function in the next few years.

Honduras is hosting a workshop on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulation setting out preventive security measures in case of threats to ships and port facilities – the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.The event in Puerto Cortez, Honduras (23-27 July) comes as a follow-up to a 2017 exercise in which the country’s specific technical assistance needs were identified.Designated authority and port facility security officers are improving their…

Rear Adm. Michael Alfultis, president of SUNY Maritime College, today announced the establishment of the Ruth Mulan Chu Chao and James Si-Cheng Chao Endowed Scholarship Fund as a permanent, need-based scholarship. The scholarship has been funded by Dr. James S.C. Chao, Founder and Honorary Chairman of Foremost Group, and his daughter, Ms. Angela A. Chao, Chairman and CEO of Foremost Group in honor of Dr. Chao and his late wife, Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao.“The Chao Scholarship will benefit generations of students who are interested in pursuing maritime and engineering studies…

The European Union should step up its assessment of Asian shipbreaking yards to allow the effective implementation of the Hong Kong Convention, said Maritime Strategies International (MSI).In its MSI Foresight, the independent research and consultancy firm noted that by December 31 2018, all vessels flying the flag of an EU member state (around 12% of the current global merchant fleet) will need to comply with the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (SRR); the rule that brought the Hong Kong Convention into EU law.From 2019 onwards…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has announced that on Marine Day, Monday, July 16, it hosted a tour of the cutting-edge car carrier Beluga Ace at Harumi Pier, in cooperation with the Japanese Shipowners' Association (JSA).The company welcomed about 360 elementary and junior high school students and their family members, who were selected in an online application process.The participants boarded the huge vessel – measuring about 200m long and 50m-high –and made their first stop in the engine room…

From the sinking of the Titanic to the current piracy phenomenon plaguing the world's oceans, Maritime challenges requires a conserted and collaborative global effort at maintaining safety of live and protection of property at sea.To this the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) collaborated with its global partners from the European Uninon Gulf of Guinea Interregional Network (EU-GoGIN), and the Inter-Regional Coordination Centre (ICC) and organized a four-day crisis response training for security experts and players in the maritime sector.Participants were drawn from the Ghana Maritime Authority…

70 years of helping international shipping become safer, more secure and develop a greener environmental footprint – that's what  International Maritime Organization (IMO)  is celebrating in 2018, with a series of events and commemorative productions being released throughout the year.The latest is a short animated film which shows how IMO has developed mandatory international regulations covering almost every aspect of shipping. As a result, modern shipping conforms to the highest practicable standards and is the safest…

India's Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding (CEMS), a well-funded startup in skill development for maritime and shipbuilding sector has announced thatits hi tech labs at Visakhapatnam are ready for starting orientation programmes for trainees. A seminar was held on 13th July 2018 in Vishakhapatnam to inform stakeholders about the facilities in the labs and to begin the process of training. This is shortly after CEMS announced the readiness of its Mumbai labs. CEMS is promoted by Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) in partnership with Siemens and Ministry of Shipping.

The ongoing comprehensive review of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) treaty on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F) is set to continue this week. The Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW 5), meeting at IMO Headquarters (16-20 July), will continue its work to review the minimum standards of competence set out in the treaty in order to bring them up to date and reflect realities in the fishing industry. The STCW-F treaty was adopted in 1995 and entered into force in 2012.

Being prepared in the event of a major maritime security incident is essential. To help address this issue, a maritime security training has taken place in Veracruz, Mexico (12-13 July). The International Maritime Organization (IMO) workshop aimed to promote a multi-agency approach to maritime security and law enforcement to improve cooperation among government departments. The event also highlighted the need for an integrated approach to the implementation of SOLAS Chapter XI-2, the ISPS Code and broader security measures.

Shortly after announcing the launch of its labs in Mumbai, Center of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding (CEMS), a startup in skill development for maritime and shipbuilding sector, has announced readiness of its labs in Visakhapatnam.CEMS is promoted by Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) in partnership with Siemens and support from Sagarmala, Ministry of Shipping. Its Visakhapatnam campus is located in the Indian Maritime University (IMU) premises.CEMS has planned 18 labs for its Visakhapatnam campus of which six labs are ready and will be operationalized shortly.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Marine Department of Malaysia (MDM) conducted a joint chemical spill exercise at sea along the East Johor Strait to test the Joint Emergency Response Plan (ERP) for Chemical Spill Incidents in the East Johor Strait. 2Jointly developed by MPA, MDM, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Johor Department of Environment (DOE), the objective of the joint ERP is to respond to and mitigate chemical accidents involving the seaborne transportation of hazardous chemicals along the East Johor Strait.

"Empowering Women in the Maritime Community" has been selected as the World Maritime Day theme for 2019. This will provide an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of gender equality, in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to highlight the important contribution of women all over the world to the maritime sector. The Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), meeting for its 120th session at IMO Headquarters in London, endorsed the theme, following a proposal by IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim.

Norsafe Academy Hellas has entered into a cooperative agreement with classification society DNV GL regarding the training of its surveyors.“Safety Training for Experienced Surveyors” is a specialized practical course, which has been customized to comply with DNV GL’s requirements, offering preparation regarding practical safety and emergency field situations.After the completion of this safety training, each participant will be able to demonstrate practical knowledge associated with safety requirements and emergency situations on board.

Laura Martin, VP of Sales & Client Relations at MarineCFO, has earned her certification as a SubChapterM and ISM Lead Auditor.“MarineCFO is committed to the inland and offshore maritime marketplace”, said Laura Martin. ”We feel it’s important to not only understand the needs of the vessel operators but also to put ourselves in the shoes of the safety inspectors and auditors who serve them so we can better understand how to provide products that contribute to the safety of our customers and prospective customers.”Through a week-long course led by Decatur Marine…

Transparency International is releasing a new report that highlights several transparency and accountability flaws that could hinder the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s ability to deliver on its own climate goals in reducing carbon emissions. The report entitled, “Governance at the International Maritime Organisation: The Case for Reform,” outlines several key policy issues and recommendations that the IMO, the United Nation’s leading shipping agency, must address in order to meet international standards for transparency, accountability, and integrity.

The National Maritime Law Enforcement Academy (NMLEA), and its subsidiary International Maritime Law Enforcement Academy (IMLEA), announced a teaming agreement with AMES Maritime Security (AMES) of Kingston, Georgetown (Guyana) to provide international level maritime safety and security services. The cadre of professionals from within both organizations are recognized for their military, maritime, and security skills and competence, and their ability to provide training, exercise, education, assessment, consultation, and other services.

ReCAAP Information Sharing Center (ISC) and World Maritime University (WMU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen the cooperation between the two organizations in the shared interest in increasing the knowledge of the evolving situation of piracy and sea robbery in Asia. The cooperation will see ReCAAP ISC share its Asian experience in combating piracy and armed robbery against ships with the next generation of maritime leaders pursuing their postgraduate studies at WMU’s campus in Malmö…

Lack of crew knowledge is not a valid reason for non-compliance in ballast water treatment. This is clear from statements made by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and is also suggested by the IMO Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention guidelines. To help customers manage the challenge of keeping crews updated and trained, Alfa Laval is introducing Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 Computer-Based Training (CBT). Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 CBT is an online/offline training tool that serves as a complement to crew training on board or at training centers.

Marine litter poses significant risks to the marine environment, ecology and human health, and is a global concern. International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been taking action to address the problem, including regulating garbage discharge from ships and helping countries build up their human and technical capacities. An IMO Regional Workshop on MARPOL Annex V and Port Reception Facilities for the ASEAN Region took place in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam (27-29 June). The workshop…

Lifeboat inspection, fire drills, emergency generator training, keeping watch, new friendships, ports, building professional networks, and working far away from home and family. These, and many more, are all part of life at sea, and International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s own Sascha Pristrom is experiencing these during a voyage on the Monaco Maersk ultra large container ship. As 2nd Officer, he is gaining a direct insight into the practical implementation, on a ship, of IMO regulations and guidelines.

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point (USMMA) welcomed 280, Class of 2022 “plebe candidates” for initial training today. The nearly 20-day orientation period known as Indoctrination, or Indoc, teaches plebe candidates the basics of maritime and regimental life at USMMA. Training will emphasize military discipline, daily regimental routine, physical fitness, basic seamanship, and an introduction to college-level academics. The incoming Class of 2022, consists of 280 plebe candidates, representing 45 states and Panama.

In 2016, Bouchard Transportation Co. partnered with SUNY Maritime College to privately host the required USCG Leadership & Managerial Skills Course for all BTC Tug Captains & Chief Engineers. Following course completion, all Tug Captains then received a full day of simulator training at the Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. Tug & Barge Simulation Center at SUNY Maritime College. Proper training and education remains of vital importance to BTC, and ensures a constant safe operation for vessel crews and customers alike.

How to implement the Aktau Protocol on regional preparedness, response and cooperation in combating oil pollution incidents was the subject of a workshop in Baku, Azerbaijan this week (18-20 June). The event brought together the five littoral states (Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation and Turkmenistan) of the Caspian Sea to test the Caspian Sea Plan concerning regional cooperation in dealing with oil pollution in cases of emergency, and guidelines on future regional oil spill exercises were developed.

Overcrowding is dangerous. Listen to crew. Follow instructions. It could save your life. These simple but key messages to ferry passengers are included in a new one-minute animated International Maritime Organization (IMO) safety video, to be shown in ferry terminals across the Asia and Pacific region and on national TV channels. The video was commissioned following a series of IMO-sponsored regional discussion forums on ferry safety held in the Asia and Pacific region. Overloading…

The Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding (CEMS) in India, a well-funded start-up in skill development for maritime and shipbuilding sector, has announced setting up of 24 labs -6 in Mumbai and 18 in Vizag campus. It also shared the list of courses being offered. The labs being set up include Product Design & Validation, Advance Manufacturing, Hull Design, Automation, Welding Technology, Robotics, Virtual Reality, Advance Machine & Robotics, Electrical and several others.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) is continuing its ongoing efforts to ensure women can reach top ranks in the maritime sector, through its Women in Maritime programme. The latest event was a two-week training course for female officials from maritime and port authorities of developing countries, in Le Havre, France (11-22 June). At the Institut Portuaire d'Enseignement et de Recherche (IPER), 23 female officials from 14 developing countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad…

With the rise in transport by sea of chemicals and gases, in bulk and containerized, adequate preparedness for response to potential spill incidents involving hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) is increasingly important. The Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) is hosting a regional workshop on response to such incidents, in Valletta, Malta (20-21 June). Regional cooperation on oil and HNS spill response and contingency planning is an efficient and cost-effective way of preparing for possible spills – through the sharing of information…

The challenges posed by maritime crime are bringing about discussions on legal issues involving the interpretation and implementation of maritime law. As a result, a workshop has taken place in Sri Lanka, Colombo (18-20 June) where maritime law experts and practitioners from around the world met to participate in two main sessions aimed at gathering State practice and interpretation information related to international legal instruments. The first session looked at Article 17…

How can ports cut emissions to ensure cleaner air and contribute to the battle against climate change? An International Maritime Organization (IMO)  training course is supporting countries to help find the answers, which include the need to first quantify emissions and then identify measures to reduce port-related emissions in a cost-effective way. Maritime officials in Morocco are the latest to undergo the training, at a workshop in Casablanca (19-21 June). The event is being…

On Saturday, June 16, 2018, Webb Institute awarded 21 Bachelor of Science degrees at its 122nd Commencement Ceremony. Each graduating student received a dual degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Webb’s commencement ceremony included inspirational remarks from Webb’s President R. Keith Michel and keynote speaker, Dr. Kirsi K. Tikka, Executive Vice President and Senior Maritime Advisor at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and former Webb Institute Professor of Structural Engineering. Dr.

The fifth run of the MPA Academy Port Management Programme (PMP), aimed at port masters, harbour masters and middle managers from maritime and port authorities, kicked off today with a record 20 maritime officials from across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East and Oceania. Developed and organised by MPA Academy, the five-day programme will be delivered by practitioners from the industry as well as senior officers from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Some of the key subjects that will be covered during the programme include safety, port planning and security.

How to create better shipping for a better future was a theme running throughout the 2018 IMO World Maritime Day Parallel Event (13-15 June), held in Szczecin, Poland. “IMO's heritage for 70 years has been to drive improvements in shipping to achieve a better world today. But we cannot rest on past achievements. Our challenge for the years to come remains the same: to create better shipping - for a better future,” said IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim, in his keynote address. The international audience was welcomed by Mr.

The American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (ACMF) announced it received a contribution of $150,000 from Mr. and Mrs. Roland Malins-Smith. Mr. Malins-Smith, now retired, is founder of SeaFreight Line Ltd. which was acquired by Crowley in 2015.The ACMF funds scholarships and provides grants for classrooms and other facilities at the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU).Malins-Smith, born in Grenada, began his career in 1970 researching shipping and transportation issues for the then Caribbean Free Trade Area (Carifta) Secretariat based in Georgetown Guyana.

The Fohnsdorf Training Center is located in Styria, Austria. To train welders, it uses a virtual welding system – the Virtual Welding simulator from Fronius, the Austrian technology leader. The simulator employs a virtual trainer to provide 1:1 training for the center’s students, an approach that has a positive impact on training quality.A young student carefully guides the welding torch. The weaving motions she makes as she welds the single-V butt weld in front of her appear very composed, an impression that is confirmed by the consistently positive feedback from her trainer.

Natasa Pilides, Cyprus Deputy Minister of Shipping, has held this newly created political post for only three months, but already she has big plans to facilitate the growth of her country’s stature in world maritime circles. In Athens at Posidonia we discuss with her Cyprus’ plan for the development of the its maritime infrastructure and blue economy. Coming in the July 2018 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News, read our interview with Ms.  Build the country’s maritime cluster with incentives for companies to innovate and relocate people and facilities to Cyprus.