Maritime Training News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To help increase ratification of the FAL Convention and improve understanding of its requirements, two National Seminars on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic have been delivered by International Maritime Organization (IMO), in cooperation with the Pacific Community (SPC), in Tarawa, Kiribati (14-16 November) and in Honiara, the Solomon Islands (20-22 November)."When the communication between ships and port is smoothly run, shipments move more quickly, more easily and more efficiently.

The European Commission  said it will co-finance the project ‘Futureproof Skills for the Maritime transport sector (SkillSea)’.The project aims to develop strategies to identify and meet the future skills needs of the maritime sector and attract greater numbers of Europeans to work in maritime industries. The four-year project will begin in January 2019.SkillSea is being launched by a Europe-wide consortium established by the industry's recognised social partners, the European…

The intense shipping and offshore exploration activities in the Gulf of Guinea pose major risks to its coastline, so the country pays special attention to protecting its coastline, said International Maritime Organization (IMO)Last week (12 - 15 November) a national workshop aimed at building the country's oil pollution preparedness and response capacity was held, under the auspices of the GI WACAF project – a collaboration between IMO and IPIECA - the global oil and gas industry…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines announced that it conducted a tabletop drill based on an incident simulation involving an LNG carrier managed by an MOL Group ship management company.MOL holds these drills periodically to confirm its emergency response system in preparation for serious marine incidents.The drill was held on Friday, November 16, with the goal of raising company-wide safety awareness through the simulation of a serious marine incident. The drill was designed to demonstrate that…

Maritime security depends on the capacity of national authorities to develop effective port security plans and procedures and the ability to self-audit, says International Maritime Organization (IMO).A regional workshop for participants from a number of countries in the Gulf of Guinea, held in Tema, Ghana (13-16 November) has helped to build national capacity to enhance port security. Benin, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, Sao Tome & Principe…

Performing a vessel inspection is an important task. Inspections by flag and port States are key to keeping ship standards high and in turn reducing accidents and pollution to the maritime environment.To maintain a high level of safety in the region, a Regional Caribbean Ship Inspector Training course (CASIT) (29 October – 16 November) has been held in Trinidad and Tobago, said a press release from International Maritime Organization (IMO).The objective of the course is to prepare ship surveyors to be able to work in a Caribbean maritime administration.

Cuba is the fourth Caribbean country to receive International Maritime Organization (IMO) assistance on spill preparedness in recent weeks, following similar events in Mexico, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.An IMO-funded workshop on ‘National Contingency Planning’ took place in Havana (13-15 November). The event was part of renewed efforts in the region to identify gaps in existing spill contingency plans.Senior level response managers and contingency planners from across the country took part in the workshop.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO)-led GloMEEP project has delivered a training course in China last week to help maritime administrations and classification societies play their part in an ambitious scheme to collect fuel consumption data from ships.The data collected will provide vital information to support IMO’s global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping. From 1 January 2019 ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above will have to collect consumption data for each type of fuel oil they use.

Rear Admiral Mark Buzby is the Maritime Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration.Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby was appointed by President Donald Trump and sworn in as Maritime Administrator on August 8, 2017. Prior to his appointment, Buzby served as president of the National Defense Transportation Association, a position he has held since retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2013 with over 34 years of service. A 1979 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Buzby earned his Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science and U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate License.

Japanese shipping major Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Yusen Logistics (YLK)  have jointly conducted their 2018 Global NYK/YLK Week recently in Japan.Twenty-eight staff members from around the world were nominated from the Group’s global business bases to attend the program, along with a handful of employees based in Japan.This training program has been jointly held by NYK and YLK since 2012 to deepen interaction among the participants across national, division, and company…

A training event on oil spill preparedness and response for countries in eastern Africa, was held in Dar Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania (6-9 November).The  relevant government agency representatives with responsibilities in spill response in the countries like Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Somalia, United Republic of Tanzania, and Uganda have participated in the training."In the event of a marine oil spill, relevant government agencies in the affected region need to manage and coordinate a response…

Myanmar is the latest country to benefit from International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s work to enhance marine oil spill preparedness and response in the ASEAN region.A press note from the UN agency informed that a training course for senior officials and members of the national oil spill management team is taking place in Yangon, Myanmar (12-14 November).The training is focused on the effective response to oil spills, including on both managing risks from shipping and incident management.

Boys are coaxed into cleanliness at bath time playing with boats. But it was never a game for Joseph Farrell, III, instinctively realizing he was ballasting and salvaging ships, unlike the typical Mr. Bubbles kid. The scion of Resolve Marine Group may have been born to lead the global emergency response company founded by his father with a single tug 38 years ago, but he’s never taken dangerous wreck removal lightly.Before turning 15, Joey had two close calls on and around ships that guide him today, at 34.

The terminal operating systems (TOS) provider announced a new partnership with COSCO Shipping Ports Limited (CSP), creating a joint Center of Excellence (CoE).Navis is a part of Cargotec Corporation and provider of operational technologies and services that unlock greater performance and efficiency for the world’s leading organizations across the shipping supply chain.Launched in September 2018, the center will deliver dedicated Navis and CSP resources for N4 implementation projects…

The HR, competence and training specialist Mintra Group said it has acquired Aberdeen headquartered learning technology services firm Atlas Knowledge.The move will bring both Aberdeen operations together to offer learning and competency systems and services to customers in the oil and gas, maritime, aviation, construction and energy sectors.With a turnover of around £15 million, Mintra employs more than 100 people globally and is backed by investor The Riverside Company. Atlas delivers digital learning solutions to safety critical industries…

The 5th Annual Ferry Safety and Technology conference will be held in Bangkok Thailand on February 20‐22, 2019. The conference is designed to showcase the best practical technologies to improve safety particularly‐ but not solely, for the developing world.The conference is co‐hosted by the Worldwide Ferry Safety Association (WFSA) and the famed Chao Phraya River Boat Co. The conference features good news on multiple fronts: new high‐quality ferry systems; new development of inland waterways making them safe for ferries in India and Bangladesh (in a presentation by the World Bank)…

Construction of a new Oregon State University (OSU) bound research ship that will advance the science of coastal environments, and support research on topics such as ocean acidification, hypoxia, and sea level rise, officially began today at Gulf Island Shipyards in Louisiana.Officials from OSU the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Gulf Island Shipyards LLC gathered at the shipyard in Houma, La. for the keel-laying ceremony, marking the start of fabrication of the state-of-the art ship.

Henriksen Hooks of Tønsberg, Norway, believes that the maritime world is becoming a little safer thanks to the take-up of its hook inspection training courses. In February, Henriksen introduced an online training course that enables customers to perform their own annual product inspections. Since then, the company has been surprised by the number of individuals who have completed the course, thereby ensuring that their Henriksen boat lifting hooks remain safe for use.In what is believed to be a first for SOLAS regulated lifting gear…

Announcement also includes new membership policies and enrollment procedures.The Offshore Service Vessel Dynamic Positioning Authority (OSVDPA) is now accepting Individual and Corporate Membership Applications for the 2019 calendar year.Membership provides individuals and companies involved in the dynamic positioning industry the ability to advise the OSVDPA on the content and requirements of the OSVDPA DPO Certification Scheme. Specifically, members elect two representatives to the OSVDPA Technical Advisory Council (TAC).

Kongsberg Digital has been selected to deliver and support a suite of sophisticated K-Sim Navigation ready ship’s bridge simulators for the Royal Austalian Navy. The contract will enable the Royal Australian to significantly increase its training capacity and reduce costs associated with qualifying bridge watch keepers and other staff before going to sea.The simulators will be delivered for installation in a new training facility at HMAS Stirling in Perth starting May 2019, with existing bridge simulators at HMAS Watson in Sydney being upgraded from December 2018.

Esben Poulsson, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), has called for International Maritime Organization's (IMO) STCW Seafarer Training Regime to be revised.IMO STCW Convention governs global standards for the training and certification of around two million merchant seafarers.Addressing a Crew Connect Conference in Manila, Philippines Poulson said “It’s now commonplace for employers to routinely provide additional training and assessments prior to the deployment…

As a United Nations agency, International Maritime Organization (IMO)  is firmly committed to the Sustainable Development Goals, one of which is about delivering quality education.A press note from the UN agency said that an important element of its efforts in this regard are its two maritime educational institutions – the World Maritime University (WMU) and the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI). Both are focussed on delivering high-level education in maritime-related…

While the technology to facilitate autonomous shipping matures, many questions remain, led by the size, shape and role of the Future Mariner. The MarTID 2019 Survey aims to shed some light.The Maritime Training Insights Database steering group has announced the upcoming launch of the 2019 MarTID survey, which this year focuses on the trend toward autonomous vessel operations and its impact on training current and future mariners. MarTID is a non-commercial, joint initiative of the World Maritime University, Marine Learning Systems and New Wave Media.

Not all towing vessel companies are choosing Third Party Organizations (TPOs) for their Subchapter M compliance option. One size does not fit all.Under Subchapter M, towing vessel companies may opt to use TPOs to conduct their audits and surveys instead of inspections by the Coast Guard. While many companies are going the TPO route, many are opting for traditional Coast Guard inspections.As a retired Coast Guard marine inspector, I have always advocated the Coast Guard option to our clients.

Recognizing the appeal of virtual reality (VR) for engaging seafarers who need training as they enter and advance through the maritime industry, KVH Videotel and OMS-VR has announced a letter of intent to enter into an exclusive agreement to produce and distribute VR maritime training. Coinciding with the announcement, KVH Videotel will be providing a demo of VR training during the CrewConnect Global Conference in Manila tomorrow and Wednesday, November 6-7.KVH Videotel’s maritime training programs include more than 950 titles related to the Standards of Training…

Auditing  International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member States to assess how effectively they administer key IMO treaties is an important part of the Organization's work to ensure its regulatory framework is universally adopted and implemented.According to IMO release, a regional training course for auditors under the IMO's Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) took place in Busan, Republic of Korea (29 October - 2 November).The training provided specific skills in auditing Member States using the IMO Instruments Implementation Code as the audit standard.

As the Offshore Service Vessel Dynamic Positioning Authority’s new dynamic positioning operator (DPO) certification body evolves, its pathway to training and certification gives mariners options, and a seat at the table.The other day I was thinking about what makes me a captain. What I came up with as the relevant points were the ability to handle the vessel and read the environmental conditions, leadership abilities, risk detection and mitigation, managing peers, and mentoring my crew.

Maritime Administrator Mark H. Buzby welcomed female cadets from the seven U.S. maritime academies to the 10th annual Women on the Water Conference, held November 1-3 in Castine, Maine. The conference, sponsored by the Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD), showcases the successes of women in the maritime industry.“The demand for a highly trained mariner workforce increases daily,” said Administrator Buzby. “By providing our female cadets with the opportunity to learn from other female maritime industry leaders, we hope to inspire them to greater levels of achievement in their careers.”The Women on the Water Conference…

Maritime Administrator Mark Buzby has announced Jack Buono as the new superintendent for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.Buono will take command at the Academy on November 9, having most recently served as President and CEO of ExxonMobil’s shipping subsidiary, SeaRiver Maritime, Inc.“As a Kings Point graduate who spent his entire career in maritime leadership roles, Mr. Buono will help educate and inspire the next generation of maritime cadets,” said Maritime Administrator Mark H. Buzby.Following his graduation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Buono worked his way up from a U.S.

Technology and training organization 3T Energy Group has acquired Aberdeen-based Survivex, an offshore oil and gas training specialist.Global technology and training organisation said in a press release that it has become the UK’s largest energy sector training provider after acquiring Survivex."This acquisition strengthens 3T Energy Group’s global offering and is part of its strategy to transform the training sector with technology to enable people and companies to work safer…

Libyan port and maritime security officers are receiving training on  International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), which sets out preventive security measures to detect and defer threats to ships and port facilities.The participants are in charge of port security throughout the country, and also include members of the national committee in charge of oversight of compliance in Libya, who will be part of a special session…

Tackling the time-sensitive challenges of maritime operations is at the forefront of all crew managers’ minds. They face an ongoing balancing act of supporting their Captain and crew in the best possible way to ensure a smooth and efficient running of the ship, whilst making sure it is commercially viable. This is rarely a straightforward operation, especially when it comes to managing travel for the 1.5 million people employed in the shipping sector, but there are key areas that…

The number of seafarers in India has seen an unprecedented growth of 42.3% due to various policy level changes brought in by the Government in the last four years, said a Minister in India.According to Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, Chemical & Fertilizer, from 108,446 seafarers in 2013, India now has 154,349 seafarers. India now provides 9.35% of the global seafarers and ranks 3rd in the list of the largest seafarer supplying nations in the world.At present, there are 17 lakhs seafarers globally including the 154,349 Indian seafarers.

The Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) and Columbia Shipmanagement will create a joint venture, the ASCO said in a press release.Rauf Valiyev, the Chairman of ASCO and Heinrich Schuller, the Chairman of Columbia Shipmanagement  signed a memorandum of cooperation in this regard, it said.The new joint venture will further enhance bilateral cooperation. Thus, the company will create a solid basis for the exchange of experience on the operation of large tankers in international waters…

MAN Energy Solutions has selected Nova Scotia-based simulation and training software developer, Modest Tree, to develop a virtual reality training solution for the engines onboard the Royal Canadian Navy’s new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships under construction at Halifax Shipyard.The virtual reality training solution, the first of its kind in the marine sector, will train the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy to operate and maintain the ship’s engines.Each Arctic and Offshore…

A new mentorship scheme to encourage the next generation of women into the maritime sector has been launched at the annual conference of the Women in Maritime Association, Caribbean (WiMAC), which is being held in Belize City, Belize (October 16-19).This type of scheme is consistent with  International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Women in Maritime program, which supports the participation of women in both shore-based and sea-going posts, in line with the goals outlined under…

Maritime security is a key element of International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s work and, over many years, the Organization has developed a number of measures to help promote and sustain it.The focus is now on helping countries build their capacity to put these measures into practice, said a press note from IMO.IMO regularly partners with other agencies to do this. As part of a continuing collaboration with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), a national contingency-planning…

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.