- The IMO has introduced a Train-the-Trainer programme focused on educating maritime professionals about alternative fuels like ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen for sustainable shipping.
- The first training session involved 35 participants from countries such as Bangladesh, India, China, Japan, and the Philippines, with both IMO-funded and self-funded attendees.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has launched its Train-the-Trainer Programme on Alternative Fuels for Sustainable Shipping, aiming to equip maritime professionals with the skills to train others on key alternative fuels such as ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen. The inaugural session was held from April 14 to 18, 2025, at the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTCC-Asia) located at Shanghai Maritime University.
Programme Development and Implementation
The training course was developed under the “Baseline Training Framework for Seafarers in Decarbonization” project, a collaborative effort involving the World Maritime University (WMU), the Maritime Just Transition (MJT) Task Force, and the IMO Secretariat. The programme was initially piloted at WMU in December 2024, with feedback from participants leading to enhancements such as additional practical sessions, scenario-based learning from real-world cases, and demonstrations of safety equipment and procedures.
Diverse Participation and Global Collaboration
The first training session welcomed 35 participants. IMO-funded attendees hailed from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Self-funded participants represented China, Hong Kong (China), Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore.
Additionally, representatives from MTCC Asia, non-governmental organizations, and industry stakeholders nominated by partners of the Maritime Just Transition Task Force—including the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), and Lloyd’s Register Foundation—also took part in the training.
This programme underscores the IMO’s commitment to fostering a skilled workforce capable of leading the maritime industry’s transition to sustainable energy sources.
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Source: IMO
