- Singapore Seminar Prepares Seafarers for Alternative Fuel Challenges.
- IMO and MPA Lead Hands-On Safety Training for Future Fuels.
- Seafarers Trained on Methanol Fire Safety and VR Simulation.
A live methanol firefighting exercise, along with the use of Virtual Reality (VR) training tools, showcased the real-world dangers that seafarers encounter during the maritime fuel transition. This took place at a four-day training seminar in Singapore from July 14 to 17, 2025, reports IMO.
Focus on Preparing Seafarers for Alternative Fuels
The event gathered government officials, maritime trainers, and industry stakeholders to enhance the training readiness of seafarers operating vessels powered by alternative fuels like methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, LPG, and battery-electric propulsion systems.
Held Alongside Singapore’s Safety@Sea Conference
Taking place alongside Singapore’s International Safety@Sea Conference, the seminar was part of the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) larger initiative to prepare seafarers for a decarbonising maritime industry.
Bridging Policy, Education, and Practical Training
The seminar aimed to connect policy, education, and hands-on training, featuring presentations from Maritime Education and Training (MET) institutions and partners from the Maritime Just Transition Task Force, along with insights from industry representatives.
Addressing Training Gaps and National Strategies
A panel discussion with MET institutions tackled challenges like limited training capacity and the need for practical experience with new fuel technologies. Focus group discussions allowed delegates to share national strategies for aligning training systems with the IMO’s evolving guidelines for seafarers on alternative fuel-powered vessels.
Delegates also shared practical insights from training seafarers for LNG-fueled ships, providing valuable regional perspectives.
Promoting Gender Equality in Maritime Training
A dedicated session on gender mainstreaming reinforced the IMO’s commitment to creating inclusive and equitable training frameworks, which support a more diverse workforce in the maritime sector.
Simulation and VR Tools Provide Real-World Experience
At Singapore’s Maritime Academy, Centre of Excellence in Maritime Safety (CEMS), and Wavelink Maritime Institute, participants dove into hands-on demonstrations featuring cutting-edge simulation systems and VR tools. These interactive sessions offered a valuable glimpse into the future of instructional technologies.
Seminar Co-Hosted by MPA, IMO, and SMART-C
This seminar was a collaborative effort between the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the IMO Secretariat, part of IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), in partnership with the Sustainable Maritime Transport Cooperation (SMART-C) Programme.
Participants are encouraged to engage actively in IMO’s ongoing initiatives, particularly in shaping training programs for seafarers who will be working with alternative fuels and advanced ship technologies.
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Source: IMO
