Advancing Seafarer Education by Bringing Together Expertise from Six Countries ～MOL Annual Training Conference～

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) is continuously committed to enhancing seafarer education and training in pursuit of the world’s highest standards of safety and quality.
In September 2025, MOL hosted the MOL Annual Training Conference 2025 in Tokyo.
The conference brought together instructors from MOL’s training centers across six countries—Japan, the Philippines, India, Montenegro, Russia, and Indonesia—along with Onboard Job Training Instructors (OJTI) involved in MOL’s OJT initiatives, and training managers from manning companies.
By integrating on-site experience with the latest technologies, the conference served as a forum for intensive discussion on current challenges and the future direction of seafarer education and training.

The maritime industry is facing increasing complexity due to rapid technological innovation, diversification of fuels, and ongoing globalization.
As operational challenges on board vessels evolve, conventional training methods alone have become insufficient.
Common challenges identified across regions included:

- Variations in training content and standards among training centers in different countries
- The need to further strengthen decision-making and non-technical skills directly linked to real operations
- Development of training frameworks that can keep pace with new technologies and alternative fuels

The Training Conference emphasized interactive and practice-oriented discussions rather than classroom-based learning alone.

Key initiatives included:
- Case sharing and mutual feedback among instructors from different countries
- Review of BRM and ERM training methodologies, including course structure and duration
- Examination of education programs focusing on advanced technologies such as LNG and dual-fuel engines
- Discussions on frameworks for developing instructors themselves and enhancing their professional skills

Through these efforts, MOL worked to elevate the quality of seafarer education across the entire group.

The conference strengthened collaboration among MOL’s global training centers and clarified a shared direction for future seafarer education.
Insights gained through the conference will be reflected in MOL’s training programs, OJT initiatives, and instructor development schemes.

MOL will continue to promote global human resource development that supports the “frontline of safety” across its fleet.

Learn More
For a detailed report on the conference, please visit:
On the Frontline of Safety — MOL Seafarers at the Training Conference