Japanese Shipping Industry considers donating new training vessel to JMETS

In a joint effort to strengthen maritime education and ensure a stable pipeline of skilled Japanese seafarers, major Japanese ocean-going shipping companies, NYK Line, MOL, and “K” LINE, alongside the Japanese Shipowners’ Association, have initiated discussions on donating a large training vessel to the Japan Agency of Maritime Education and Training for Seafarers.

This initiative reflects the industry’s recognition of the critical role seafarer training plays in supporting Japan’s maritime transport sector, an essential component of the national economy and daily life.

The move comes in response to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s recent study group report, which highlights several structural challenges faced by JMETS.

These include financial instability, reduced onboard training opportunities due to rising fuel costs, shortages of qualified instructors and crew, and difficulty accommodating students of differing proficiency levels and qualification goals on a single training vessel.

Additionally, JMETS must contend with aging vessels and school infrastructure, which further strain its training capabilities.

In light of these challenges, the Japanese shipping industry has decided to begin exploring the donation of a modern, large-scale training vessel to support JMETS’s medium-term reform strategy, as recommended by the MLIT study group.

This new vessel is expected to significantly enhance JMETS’s ability to provide high-quality onboard training and ensure Japan continues to cultivate a robust maritime workforce.

The initial phase will focus on defining the technical specifications of the vessel and initiating discussions with shipyards, with the goal of completing the new ship around 2030.

The participating companies and JSA express their hope that this donation will support JMETS’s reforms and contribute meaningfully to the sustainable development of Japan’s maritime education and seafarer training system.

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