NYK to Build Four Training Vessels
October 18, 2006
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koji Miyahara) has entered into a formal agreement with Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. to build four training vessels, each with the capacity to offer practical onboard training to 20 trainees.
The training ships will include one LNG carrier and three containerships. All four vessels will be designed specifically for training and include lecture rooms, in addition to accommodations for trainees, private instructors, and stewards. This will be first time in maritime history for new vessels to be introduced that will be capable of providing training of this type to so many potential candidates.
Through intensive instruction using a well-developed curriculum, skilled instructors will educate trainees on basic seafaring methodologies and ensure that the trainees thoroughly understand the company's approach to safe operations. NYK decided to introduce these training vessels because onboard training is one of the most practical ways to teach fundamentals to seafarers. Fostering the correct attitude, especially toward safety, is essential during initial instruction.
The company plans to carry out the current year of onboard training in two parts: the first three months of training with 20 trainees each on one of NYK's four training ships followed by the remaining nine months carried out in small groups of two or three on ships currently in operation for the company.
By conducting thorough initial onboard training for new seafarers, NYK intends to ensure safe operations for the company's entire fleet, which will be increased to 880 vessels by 2010.