Class NK accredited in late March a training program for seafarers responsible for LNG and other low-flashpoint fuels on board NYK Group-operated ships, making the NYK the first Japanese shipping company to obtain an international institution’s certification in the field of IGF Code training.
This comes as the use of LNG as a marine fuel seemed to increase in recent years to prevent pollution. It is said that more than 200 LNG-fueled ships, including those on order, are currently part of the industry.
To enhance safety and minimize the risk of the rising number of LNG-fueled ships, IMO adopted the International Code for Ships Using Gases and Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) in 2017 requiring seafarers to receive training certificated by a maritime institution in their own country or the flag state.
Compared with Europe, a training system had not developed in Asia, and thus seafarers from the Philippines and India, which make up the majority of seafarers in the industry, struggled to meet the IGF Code requirement,
…NYK explained.
In accordance with its medium-term management plan “Staying Ahead 2022 with Digitalization and Green,” NYK aims to introduce environment-friendly ships, including those fueled by LNG. To secure human resources that meet the requirements of the IGF Code, NYK has thus developed its own training program.
Those who have never handled LNG are provided many demonstrations about fighting gas fires and introduced to the characteristics of liquefied gas, the influence of low temperature, and methods to detect gas.
The advanced course allows participants to substitute part of the mandated shipboard experience required for advanced endorsement by the STCW by engaging in two LNG bunkering operations through a simulator.
An accreditation ceremony was held at Class NK’s head office in Tokyo.