Peninsula, a global leader in marine energy solutions, and the University of Gibraltar have formalized a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration will leverage Peninsula’s industry expertise to enhance the University’s alternative marine fuel training programs.
Robust Framework
Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Peninsula and the University of Gibraltar will establish a joint study group. This group will be responsible for developing educational and training materials focused on alternative marine fuels, with a specific emphasis on the transportation, storage, and supply aspects of these fuels. As part of the partnership, subject matter experts from Peninsula will also deliver guest lectures at the University.
The ongoing shift towards alternative marine fuels has highlighted a significant skills deficit within the shipping industry. Research indicates that the increasing demand for these fuels from the industry is far surpassing the number of seafarers who possess the necessary qualifications to handle them safely and efficiently.
John A. Bassadone, Founder and CEO of Peninsula, commented on the partnership, stating, “In line with the industry’s commitment to decarbonizing, many of our customers are looking into alternative marine fuels such as LNG and biofuels for the first time, and skills gaps can be a barrier to adoption. Simply put, the demand on the seafarer community will increase and we want to be there to help customers close the skills gap.”
He added, “Our motivation for entering into partnership with the University of Gibraltar is to support our community, customers, and the wider industry amid the transition to cleaner fuels. The University has a reputation for producing cadets who are both technically capable and industry-ready and for upskilling current seafarers, and we’re proud to continue contributing to this.”
Bassadone concluded, “By contributing to developing a robust framework for specialized training and education, we hope this initiative will make it easier for organizations to access resources and upskill their teams so that we’re ready to meet IMO and the industry’s long-term sustainability goals.”
Aaron Lopez, Head of Maritime Academy from the University of Gibraltar, emphasized the crucial role of seafarers in the global economy, saying, “Seafarers are vitally important to the world economy—working behind the scenes, they are responsible for the movement of almost all the world’s goods.”
He also highlighted the importance of equipping seafarers with the necessary skills for the evolving fuel landscape: “We need to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to do this important job, particularly as the fuel landscape continues to evolve.”
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Source: Ocean News
