APRIL 26 2013 — Although the STCW convention now requires masters and deck officers aboard ECDIS-fitted ships to have generic ECDIS equipment training, some oil majors and port state control authorities now request evidence of Type Specific ECDIS training during vetting and PSC inspections, in accordance with the ISM code.

ClassNK Executive Vice President Koichi Fujiwara (left) with President of Iino Marine Service Co., Ltd Capt. Shigeru Nemoto (right)

To address these new requirements, Iino Marine Service Co., Ltd., in cooperation with ECDIS system manufacturer Japan Radio Co., Ltd., established a Type Specific ECDIS training course at Busan, South Korea, based Iino Marine Service Busan Co., Ltd., and turned to classification society ClassNK to ensure that the new training meets the high level required by the maritime industry.

ClassNK has now certifed the course and earlier this week ClassNK Executive Vice President Koichi Fujiwara presented the certificate to Capt. Shigeru Nemoto, President of Iino Marine Service Co., Ltd. at a special ceremony held at ClassNK's Head Office.

ClassNK's certification confirms that the training center's ECDIS training is carried out in accordance with ClassNK's independently developed rules and maritime education standards.