Jul. 07, 2025
NYK-TDG Maritime Academy Holds Commencement Ceremony for 80 Graduates
Welcoming maritime professionals who embody the corporate philosophy of "Bringing value to life” through diversity-focused mariner training
On July 4, the NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA), a merchant marine academy jointly operated by NYK and the Transnational Diversified Group (TDG)* near Manila, Philippines, held a commencement ceremony for 80 students, the academy’s 14th batch of graduates.
The ceremony was attended by many distinguished guests, including Kazuya Endo, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Japan to the Philippines, and Atty. Jerome T. Pampolina, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Assistant Secretary for Sea-based OFW Concerns. NYK President Takaya Soga, Director, Managing Executive Officer Yasunobu Suzuki, and TDG Chairman and Founder J. Roberto C. Delgado also joined the event, offering their congratulations to the graduates.
Front row:
First from right, January S. Asuncion, President of NTMA
Second from right, Yasunobu Suzuki, Director, Managing Executive Officer of NYK
Forth from right, Rashid H. Delgado, Co-Chief Executive Officer of TDG
Sixth from right, Takaya Soga, President and CEO of NYK
Eighth from right, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Assistant Secretary for Sea-based OFW Concerns, Atty. Jerome T. Pampolina
Ninth from right, J. Roberto C. Delgado, Founder and Group Chairman of TDG
Eleventh from right, Nieves R. Confesor, Chairperson of NTMA
Twelfth from right,Nobuhiro Kashima, Senior Managing Executive Officer of NYK
In his congratulatory speech, NYK President Soga remarked, “Your journey here began in 2020, during one of the most uncertain times in recent history — the COVID-19 pandemic. Even with all this chaos, the shipping industry remains as essential as ever. Your job as seafarers is about more than just moving goods. I hope you all will be embodying our mission of ‘Bringing value to life’ every day, with every voyage.”
NTMA was established to train seafarers according to NYK’s high standards. Last year marked a milestone with the appointment of NTMA’s first female president, and this year celebrates the academy’s 18th anniversary. With the enrollment of its first cohort of female students last year, NTMA is committed to contributing to the development of the Philippines’ maritime industry through diversity-focused education and contributions to society. Additionally, NTMA is dedicated to cultivating transformative leaders who will pursue continual self-improvement and contribute to society at a time when innovations such as decarbonization technologies and autonomous vessels are rapidly advancing.
Within the NYK Group, opportunities for women have been expanding both at sea and on land, exemplified by the appointment of the Group’s first female chief engineer in April. Going forward, NYK remains committed to providing an educational environment that allows diverse talent to excel internationally, including through initiatives at NTMA.
From left,
Takaya Soga, President, NYK Line
Kelby Russell J. Fernandez, Recipient of Class 2024 NYK-TDG Award of Excellence
TDG Chairman and Founder J. Roberto C. Delgado
The cap toss by graduates
NYK-TDG MARITIME ACADEMY Outline
Established: June 3, 2007
Number of students per year: 140 per academic year in two academic disciplines, 70 in marine navigation and 70 in marine engineering
Total Enrollment: 514 (as of June 2025) — of which female students account for about 8%
Instructors and staff: 84
Location: Canlubang, Calamba City (a suburban city about a one-hour drive from Manila)
Curriculum: Four years, including three years of academic study and one year of onboard training
Mission: To foster global seafarers through world-class, high-quality education by focusing on building an individual’s sense of humanity and providing training in practical maritime technologies
* Transnational Diversified Group (TDG)
A business group established by Chairman J. Roberto C. Delgado. Business activities include vessel agent services, seafarer manning, training, and cadet education, as well as other logistics businesses. TDG and NYK have maintained a cooperative relationship since the establishment of TDG.
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