NYK-TDG Maritime Academy Graduates Its Class of 2013

On September 23, the NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA) held a graduation

ceremony at its campus in Canlubang, Calamba City, which is in the suburbs

of Manila. Enrolled in 2009, the graduating class of 106 students completed

three years of basic classes and training courses using operational

simulators and an engine plant, and one year of training on board NYK

training vessels.

The graduation ceremony was attended by NYK chairman Koji Miyahara and TDG*

chairman J. Roberto C. Delgado, in addition to invited guests that included

Gil A. Buenaventura, the president and CEO of the Development Bank of the

Philippines.

In his commencement address, Mr. Miyahara encouraged the students by

saying: “In several months, you will be assigned to NYK-operated ships and

play an important role in the realization of our medium-term strategy,

"More Than Shipping 2013," by being an employee who adds value to our

company. In the maritime industry that you will join, safe, highly trained

seafarers who have technical expertise are needed for a global expanding

economy that experiences rapid changes. The responsibility to ensure smooth

and safe vessel operations and to protect the environment lies on your

shoulders. We are placing a great deal of trust in you to protect the

reputation that NYK has built and maintained for decades.”

After the ceremony, the guests toured the new NTMA school building and

training facilities that opened June.

The program offered at NTMA produces high-quality seafarers by providing

them with a basic level of scholarship in addition to valuable experience

on board.

At the nationwide Maritime School Assessment Program (MSAP) examination

held for students attending merchant vessel seamanship schools in the

Philippines, most of the NTMA graduates were at the top in academic

performance. The students are now taking the ship officer examination, and

all the examinees so far have acquired seafarer certificates of competency.

After obtaining the certificate, each seafarer will begin a career as a

third officer or third engineer on NYK ships and will aim to become a

captain or chief engineer after completing the NYK Group human resources

development program.

NYK will continue its effort to offer practical courses that best prepare

seafarers for future challenges by improving both the quality and quantity

of Filipino seafarers in core positions throughout the NYK Group.