Intensive LNG Training Workshop for Seafarers Held in Japan

Seafarer trainers from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam recently underwent intensive training on LNG-fuelled ships at an IMO workshop in Japan. The workshop, held in Ashiya and Yokosuka, focused on seafarers operating LNG-fuelled ships in compliance with the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code). Participants engaged in classroom lectures, LNG bunkering simulator trainings, and emergency response exercises to ensure they are well-prepared to handle LNG safely and effectively.

During the workshop, trainers gained hands-on experience with LNG bunkering simulators and learned essential skills such as using Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), gas detectors, and emergency measures for LNG leakage. They also received training on low-temperature brittleness, fire control, and firefighting procedures specific to LNG. The goal was to equip trainers with the knowledge and experience needed to enhance their training programs and strengthen the capacity for seafarers on LNG and other alternative-fuelled vessels.

The workshop, organized in accordance with the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention and Code, was co-sponsored by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure Transport and Tourism of Japan and the IMO Secretariat. It was part of IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) and received support from the Nippon Foundation, the Japan Ship Technology Research Association, and the Japan Agency of Maritime Education and Training for Seafarers. The Nautical Institute has also issued a Training Standard for Handling Alternative Fuels in the Maritime Sector to ensure seafarers have the necessary knowledge to handle novel fuels safely.

Source