On October 2, NYK welcomed to its head office in Tokyo three officials overseeing training policy at the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) of the Philippines Department of Transformation. The visit was attended by Nobuhiro Kashima, NYK senior managing executive officer, and Hisaya Higuchi, NYK managing executive officer, among others. During the meeting, NYK introduced new technologies, decarbonization, and education in the maritime industry.

NYK also presented information on the Designing the Future of Fully Autonomous Ships Plus (DFFAS+) consortium in which four NYK Group companies are participating as part of MEGURI2040, an autonomous ship project promoted by the Nippon Foundation. In addition to an explanation of the progress of the "NYK Group Decarbonization Story" released in November 2023, the presentation included the history of the NYK Group's efforts to acquire and develop maritime human resources in the Philippines, as well as a presentation on the NYK Digital Academy, a human resources development program established in 2019 and implemented by employees volunteering to participate. MARINA provided comments and advice on each presentation by program participants, considering the situation in the Philippines, and confirmed the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors and mutual understanding across national borders for developing the international maritime community.

Also joining the meeting to exchange opinions were 13 Filipino seafarers working at NYK's head office in Tokyo, Japanese employees in ship-technology-related departments, and Rashid Delgado, co-CEO of the Transnational Diversified Group (TDG),* a long-time business partner in the Philippines. The participants reaffirmed the importance of our efforts to cope with Japan's expected labor shortage and create a virtuous cycle by encouraging highly skilled human resources in Japan to return to the Philippines and play an active role there.

The visiting dignitaries also monitored a bunkering operation on October 4 at the port of Tahara in Aichi Prefecture between the LNG-fueled car carrier Plumeria Leader and the LNG bunkering vessel Kaguya.

The Philippines is one of the world's leading exporters of seafarers, and NYK operates the NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA) in the suburbs of Manila in collaboration with TDG. In addition, active Filipino seafarers also work onshore in Tokyo, making the Philippines a very important partner for NYK. This initiative was an opportunity to reflect on seafarer education policy and training related to new technologies in the shipping industry, which is undergoing technological innovation such as research and development into autonomous vessels and next-generation fuel vessels.

NYK will continue to maintain a good relationship with the Philippines and actively promote education and training for seafarers through public-private partnerships.

* Transnational Diversified Group (TDG)
A business group established by Chairman J. Roberto C. Delgado. Business activities include vessel agent services, seafarer manning, training, and cadet education, as well as other logistics businesses. TDG and NYK have maintained a cooperative relationship since the establishment of TDG.