The IMMAJ (International Mariners Management Association of Japan) and the PJMCC (Philippine Japan Manning Consultative Council, Inc.) Foundation, Inc. spearheaded the installation of three training equipment to three maritime agencies.

This move aims to further boost the competency of Filipino seafarers when they work onboard.

A Crude Oil Tanker Simulator was installed in Magsaysay Training Center, while an LNG Cargo Handling Simulator was installed in K-Line Maritime Training Corporation. A Diesel Plant Simulator, meanwhile, was installed in NYK-Fil Maritime E-Training, Inc.

The three agencies were chosen because they have the capability to administer, operate, and maintain simulator-based courses, and have a ready pool of qualified instructors.

With the newly installed equipment, the training agencies are now offering free simulator courses to all Filipino JSU-AMOSUP (Japan Seaman's Union-Associated Marine Officers' and Seamen's Union of the Philippines) members.

This project is funded through a Memorandum of Agreement between the Foundation and the JSU-AMOSUP Training Levy Fund (JATF).

Under the agreement, 40% of the JATF shall be allocated to the purchase, operation, and maintenance of the three training equipment.

The JATF comes from the contributions of shipowners ($15 per seafarer) for the upgrading of seafarers' skills and knowledge.

Training Schedule

The Crude Oil Cargo Handling Simulator Course is open to Operational Level Deck officers who:

· have served onboard Crude Oil and Product Tankers for at least one year;
· possess a General Tanker familiarization Course certificate and other tanker-related course;
· are endorsed by their manning agent whose Crude Oil Tanker Vessels are under the IBF JSU/AMOSUP-IMMAJ CBA.

The Crude Oil Cargo Handling Simulator Course is open every week from Monday to Friday, at the Magsaysay Training Center, 6th Floor, Times Plaza building, U.N. Ave corner taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila. Training starts at 8am and ends at 5pm.

The LNG Cargo Handling Simulator Course is open to Deck and Engine Officers and Ratings who are endorsed by their manning agent whose LNG Vessels are under the IBF JSU/AMOSUP-IMMAJ CBA.

The LNG Cargo Handling Simulator Course is offered at the K-Line Maritime Training Corporation, K-Line Bldg., 1631 San Marcelino St. Malate, Manila. Training starts at 8am and ends at 5pm.

The Diesel Plant Course is open to all Senior and Junior Marine Engineers who are endorsed by their manning agent whose vessels are under the IBF JSU/AMOSUP-IMMAJ CBA.

The Courses are alternately offered every week (except on the third week of the month) from Monday to Friday at the NYK-Fil Maritime E-Training, Inc., General Luna corner Sta. Potenciana Sts., Intramuros, Manila. Training starts at 8am and ends at 5pm.