MANILA – In a significant step towards securing and preserving highly qualified human resources in the maritime industry, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) forged a partnership with Kongsberg Digital AS (KDI AS) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 22 November 2023 at the MARINA Central Office.
The partnership targets the MARINA and KDI AS to collaborate on the competency development framework under the Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) through the application of simulation technology.
Under the said MoU, the MARINA and KDI AS will co-engage in the development of Traffic Capacity Studies for coastal and inland waterways using simulation technology, with a focus on retooling and upskilling Filipino seafarers.
Additionally, the collaboration involves assisting MARINA in certificate validation on KDI AS issued Simulator Certificates through digital technologies like Cloud to Cloud application programming interface (APIs) and Ecosystem Platform, conducting joint workshops on performance standards, and consultation on the development and standardization of simulation exercises, training, and assessment aligned with the STCW Convention.
The partnership also emphasized actively engaging in open discussions to develop a training compendium for approved blended and distance learning, utilizing cloud-based technology and simulators suitable for Management Level Courses (MLC).
MARINA Administrator Atty. Hernani N. Fabia expressed his appreciation to the Kongsberg Digital as it has been a long-standing trusted partner of MARINA over the years. He acknowledged Kongsberg’s support for education and training institutions in the country through investments and technical assistance, with a focus on building maritime simulation facilities, capacity-building for simulator personnel, and providing technical training for instructors and assessors.
“The MARINA acknowledges that simulation equipment and programs require substantial resources sometimes beyond a common maritime education and training institution’s capacity to acquire. This is where I envision the industry to leverage government-academia-private sector collaboration in order to propel quality education and training for maritime professional,” Administrator Fabia said.
KDI AS Senior Vice President Mr. Are Føllesdal Tjønn mentioned that the Philippines is highly significant in terms of shipping and maritime manpower. He also expressed satisfaction with the strong collaboration established over the years on schools, universities, and training sectors in the country.
“It’s also, in my opinion, very clear that our simulation technologies can be valuable to you in your strategic initiatives, for safety, for the inland waterways, for all your different initiatives,” Mr. Tjønn said.
MARINA Administrator Fabia signed the MoU with KDI AS Senior Vice President Tjønn and witnessed by MARINA STCW Office Executive Director Mr. Samuel L. Batalla and Philippine-Norway Business Council President Mr. Carl M. Faannessen.