Education Training News

The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released its findings into the serious injury that occurred on the bulk carrier, Thor Nitnirund, in the Cook Strait on March 20, 2025.The Commission’s report highlights the need for effective safety management systems, proper planning of lifting operations, and vigilance around high-risk areas during deck work.In March 2025, the bulk carrier was drifting in Cook Strait while waiting for a berth in Wellington. Heavy weather in preceding days had washed two cargo lashing chains over the ship’s side.

A BlueRights training program held at the IMO International Maritime Law Institute in Malta has highlighted one of the most pressing challenges in international law: how to protect people at sea using the existing law of the sea, and maritime and human rights law when legal responsibilities are complex, fragmented and unclear.The two-day training, delivered in May, gave participants a practical understanding of the difficulties involved in using international law to safeguard…

The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) announced its valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2026, recognizing two midshipmen who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and perseverance throughout their time at Kings Point.Midshipman John Walter Smolenski, a Maritime Logistics and Security major from Colonia, New Jersey, has been named valedictorian, graduating with a 3.87 GPA. Midshipman Connor Conrad Crymes, a Marine Engineering Systems major from Lincoln University…

The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) announced that U.S. Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll will deliver the 90th commencement address at USMMA for the Class of 2026 on Monday, June 22.“We are excited to welcome Secretary Driscoll to Kings Point. His distinguished service and leadership are particularly meaningful for the Class of 2026 as they prepare to sail on their license and commission into military service during challenging times in the world,” said USMMA Superintendent Rear Admiral Anthony Ceraolo.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA), a public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning announced that its Energy Systems Engineering (ESE) team won first place in the recent national 2026 Promoting Electric Propulsion (PEP) Workforce Development Competition. This marks the Academy’s first year participating in the event, one that draws more than 45 universities and 350 engineering students annually.The three-member team of cadets Knox Ackerman (of Mendon…

Lloyd’s Register (LR) is launching its Future Navigators Schools Programme pilot in Lagos, Nigeria, aimed at inspiring young people to explore maritime and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers through in-person interactive workshops and a bespoke mobile game. The pilot program engaged students more than 270 young people, aged 14–16 across three schools in Lagos, combining in-person learning with digital tools designed to make maritime and STEM subjects more accessible, relevant and engaging for younger audiences.

Meyer Turku is investing in shipbuilders of the future by donating EUR 800,000 ($930,000) to Aalto University. With the donation, Aalto will establish a five-year Professor of Practice to accelerate developments in marine technology and secure expertise in the field in Finland.Aalto University’s new Professor of Practice in Interdisciplinary Naval Architecture will combine marine technology and engineering with economics, finance, contract law, as well as architecture and design. The aim is to develop shipbuilding holistically and strengthen collaboration between research and industry.

As part of celebrating National Welding Month in April, ESAB awarded $5,000 to support the welding programs at Princeton High School and Lovelady High School, part of the Princeton Independent School District, through its ESAB Future Fabricators Charlie Monschke Welding Education Grant. ESAB, a world leader in fabrication technology, also surprised the school with an equipment donation of a combined retail value exceeding $6,000. The award and gifts were presented during a tour…

Exercise Bell Buoy has concluded after two weeks of intense operational activity in Auckland, New Zealand, bringing together international military and maritime partners to strengthen cooperation in an increasingly complex global security environment.Bell Buoy is designed to train personnel engaged in Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) and Maritime Trade Operations (MTO). It focuses on protecting commercial shipping, enhancing maritime domain awareness, and improving…

SeaBot Maritime has had its MASS Remote Operator Training Course assessed and recognized against the latest MGN 703 guidance set out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), following a formal assessment carried out during course delivery at the University of Plymouth's Marine Station. This recognition applies specifically to the Plymouth course, delivered in partnership with the University of Plymouth.SeaBot Maritime first received MCA voluntary recognition for the course in 2022…

We Work the Waterways (WWW) is serving as a workforce development and engagement partner in the launch of the Corn Belt Ports Rural Logistics & Maritime Training & Education Consortium, a multi-state collaboration focused on strengthening the inland maritimeworkforce pipeline across America’s river system.Bringing together ports, industry leaders, and an initial network of higher education institutions, including community and technical colleges across four states (Iowa, Illinois…

The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a contract valued at up to $400 million to Whiting Turner Contracting Company for the design and construction of new facilities at Coast Guard Training Center (TRACEN) Cape May, New Jersey. This marks the largest shore construction award in Coast Guard history and is part of a broader effort to modernize the service’s only accession point for enlisted personnel.The enhancements are funded through the Working Families Tax Cut Act (WFTCA), which includes historic investments to upgrade training facilities and infrastructure, and annual appropriations.

Over 300 Cal Poly Maritime Academy cadets will soon embark on their annual Summer Sea Term, a 65-day Pacific training voyage aboard the Training Ship Golden Bear, marking both a defining part of a cadet’s education and the final era of a vessel that has served the seafaring academy for three decades. The voyage also marks the first since the transition from California State University Maritime Academy to Cal Poly Maritime Academy, now part of Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. The training cruise provides cadets with immersive…

Two years after launching its ECDIS Training Assessment (ETA) platform, NorthStandard draws on cumulative assessment data in a new report which includes key insights on the way shipping can improve ECDIS proficiency on the bridge.Assessments found two-thirds of bridge teams could not identify electronic navigational chart (ENC) updates, and nearly half did not prioritize correct ENC scale in planning. Many also struggled to distinguish alarms from alerts, spot datum issues and verify positions…

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Shanghai Maritime University (SMU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in maritime talent development and knowledge exchange.Started in 2020, this partnership supports exchanges of students and maritime professionals and facilitates participation in high-level seminars and knowledge sharing platforms.Since 2023, MPA and SMU have enhanced collaboration through mutual participation in maritime…

CIMAC, One Sea, the Nautical Institute and INTERCARGO have jointly called on the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) to issue a unified interpretation of class rules governing the changeover of propulsion power control (RPM) between the bridge and the engine control room (ECR).The organizations warn that differing interpretations across classification societies and even between individual projects are leading to inconsistent control hierarchies, creating safety risks for operators and crews.

HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division recently welcomed senior enlisted leaders from the U.S. Marine Corps for a visit focused on strengthening pathways between Marines completing active service and long-term careers in the shipbuilding industry.The visit underscored the longtime partnership between Ingalls and the Marine Corps, particularly through Ingalls’ role as the nation’s primary builder of amphibious warships.“Marines bring discipline, technical aptitude and a service mindset…

San Diego State University announced a partnership with Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), a global leader in shipbuilding and offshore engineering, during a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony held on the university’s campus March 12.The collaboration leverages innovative research and workforce development from SDSU’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego’s active ports and shipyards, and SHI’s innovative maritime technologies.Together, the South Korean company…

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has delivered the Wakashio Maru, a training ship for National Institute of Technology, Toyama College in Japan.This is the first replacement ship for the school since 1995 and the first ship Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has built for the school. The 56-meter vessel can accommodate 60 people.The ship will be utilized for navigation practice, operations, and ocean-related research, along with various other educational and community contribution activities to develop marine sector human resources…

Amidst a more complex and uncertain operating environment, Singapore’s MPA is charting the long-term direction for Maritime Singapore. This includes developing strategies to seize growth opportunities and strengthen Singapore’s position as a key node in global trade, while continuing to drive innovation, accelerate technology adoption, and develop a future-ready workforce.MPA is developing the Maritime Singapore Master Plan, an industry-wide blueprint to guide the sector’s longer-term development.

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has launched the IMCA Next Generation Network – a global, member-led network that will support the development of early career professionals.Designed to strengthen development pathways for junior workers in the marine construction sector, the new global community forms a central pillar of IMCA’s strategic focus on people, competency, and skills.It will also support the offshore industry to raise awareness of the growing range…

On February 18, as part of the official engagements with maritime stakeholders in the Philippines, Arsenio Antonio Domínguez Velasco, secretary-general of the IMO, visited NYK-Fil Maritime E-Training Inc. (NETI) and NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA), the NYK Group’s training center and maritime academy in the Philippines.The visit included a tour of NETI’s advanced simulator facilities, showcasing cutting-edge maritime education and training technologies that support global shipping operations.

BMT has poened its Digital Innovation & Simulation Centre (DISC) at the organisation’s Fareham site in the UK - a facility designed to provide a premium environment for high‑value simulation, immersive engineering and commercially focused engagement.The facility is powered by the BMT REMBRANDT navigation simulator - a DNV‑accredited system used globally for port feasibility, pilotage training and quantitative navigation studies - alongside new digital visualisation and synthetic environments that support autonomy assurance…