Maritime Training News

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) graduated 188 new merchant marine and military officers during its 90th commencement ceremony.U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy, whose department oversees the Academy, one of the Nation’s five service academies, introduced the keynote speaker, U.S. Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll.Driscoll delivered the commencement address to the Class of 2026 before an audience of more than 3,000 family members, friends, alumni and representatives from the federal government, U.S.

Webb Institute celebrated the Commencement of its newest class of naval architects and marine engineers, sending another group of exceptional graduates into the maritime and defense industries that depend on them. U.S. Representative Thomas Suozzi (D-NY) delivered the keynote address on the terrace behind Stevenson Taylor Hall and received an Honorary Doctorate from the college.Born and raised in Glen Cove, Rep. Suozzi has deep roots in the community Webb has called home for decades.

Maritime recruitment has become more digital, but many platforms still replicate familiar agency workflows online. JobMarineMan.com, developed by ship and crew management company Marine MAN, is taking a different approach: a direct recruitment ecosystem built for shipowners and seafarers.The premise is straightforward but a departure from how the industry normally works. A shipowner gets a corporate presence on the platform with full account control; a seafarer gets a structured profile in a growing seafarer database.

The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released its findings into the serious injury that occurred on the bulk carrier, Thor Nitnirund, in the Cook Strait on March 20, 2025.The Commission’s report highlights the need for effective safety management systems, proper planning of lifting operations, and vigilance around high-risk areas during deck work.In March 2025, the bulk carrier was drifting in Cook Strait while waiting for a berth in Wellington. Heavy weather in preceding days had washed two cargo lashing chains over the ship’s side.

A new independent platform has launched that arms superyacht crew with the knowledge, resources and voice that maritime law already entitles them to but that the industry has consistently failed to deliver, says Protecting Crew Lives (PCL).The platform is a centralised, independent resource hub and a place where crew can access plain-language guidance on their rights, understand what safe and compliant looks like, find support services and know exactly what steps to take when something goes wrong.PCL was founded by two mothers…

Fincantieri has wrapped up its inaugural Maritime Security Hackathon, awarding top honors to startup Lares Technologies for a solution designed to coordinate manned and unmanned maritime assets across multiple operational domains, underscoring the growing role of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence in maritime defense.Held in collaboration with Talent Garden and Silicon Mountain, the two-day event brought together more than 70 participants, including startups, software developers…

A BlueRights training program held at the IMO International Maritime Law Institute in Malta has highlighted one of the most pressing challenges in international law: how to protect people at sea using the existing law of the sea, and maritime and human rights law when legal responsibilities are complex, fragmented and unclear.The two-day training, delivered in May, gave participants a practical understanding of the difficulties involved in using international law to safeguard…

WISTA Norway has named Trygve Nøkleby, Managing Director of the Bergen Shipowners Association, the recipient of the 20th annual WISTA Norway Leadership Award, presented at the Bergen International Shipping Conference on June 10.With the honor, Nøkleby becomes only the second man ever to receive the award which recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, inspired others, and made a significant contribution to the maritime industry.As Managing Director of the Bergen Shipowners Association…

The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) announced that U.S. Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll will deliver the 90th commencement address at USMMA for the Class of 2026 on Monday, June 22.“We are excited to welcome Secretary Driscoll to Kings Point. His distinguished service and leadership are particularly meaningful for the Class of 2026 as they prepare to sail on their license and commission into military service during challenging times in the world,” said USMMA Superintendent Rear Admiral Anthony Ceraolo.

Adam Parnell, Director (Maritime) of voluntary near-miss reporting scheme CHIRP Maritime, says fatigue is the maritime industry’s inconvenient truth.In recent months, CHIRP has received a number of reports in which fatigue was a factor, so Parnell has prepared a special report. “This may be one of the most important documents we have ever published, as the sheer volume of reports we are receiving suggests fatigue may be widespread. In some cases, fatigue was experienced even though…

Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA), a public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning announced that its Energy Systems Engineering (ESE) team won first place in the recent national 2026 Promoting Electric Propulsion (PEP) Workforce Development Competition. This marks the Academy’s first year participating in the event, one that draws more than 45 universities and 350 engineering students annually.The three-member team of cadets Knox Ackerman (of Mendon…

The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released its report into the grounding of the passenger and freight ferry, Aratere, in Titoki Bay, Picton, on June 21, 2024.The KiwiRail’s Interislander ferry grounded after an unintended turn towards the shoreline while on autopilot. Shortly after departure from Picton, the ship’s pilot engaged the autopilot and pressed the ‘execute’ button expecting the steering system to make a programmed three-degree right turn.

Novatug, the innovation and R&D department of Multraship Towage & Salvage, has launched a brand new advanced simulator and training center using technology from Wärtsilä to promote safer operations and strengthen the preparedness and effectiveness of its crew for complex towage, vessel handling and specialist maritime operations.The new simulator suite, which is based at the group’s headquarters in Terneuzen in the Netherlands, enables masters, towmasters and crews to train in realistic operational scenarios…

Lloyd’s Register (LR) is launching its Future Navigators Schools Programme pilot in Lagos, Nigeria, aimed at inspiring young people to explore maritime and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers through in-person interactive workshops and a bespoke mobile game. The pilot program engaged students more than 270 young people, aged 14–16 across three schools in Lagos, combining in-person learning with digital tools designed to make maritime and STEM subjects more accessible, relevant and engaging for younger audiences.