Top Page > Press Release 2006 > MOL Opens "MOL Class" at Merchant Marine Universities in Vietnam

MOL Opens "MOL Class" at Merchant Marine Universities in Vietnam

October 05, 2006

TOKYO - Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL, President: Akimitsu Ashida) today announced that the company has established the "MOL Class" in the Vietnam Maritime University and University of Transport in Ho Chi Minh City. The classes are intended to foster crew members who will contribute to safer, more efficient vessel operation in the future. A total of 62 students are enrolled in the MOL classes at the universities, taking a unique course of study that includes practical education and training on MOL-operated vessels. MOL will also provide practical maritime English classes or similar classes for selected students.

MOL establishes MOL Classes at maritime universities around the world. This allows the company to promote its basic stance of "Safety is the Top Priority" from the beginning of the training process. The program in Vietnam is a part of MOL's overall stance, and uses a curriculum similar to that of the MOL Class at the Dalian Maritime University in China.

MOL considers Vietnam a key source in its manning scenarios and will recruit and develop Vietnamese on board MOL-operated vessels. At the same time, the company proactively cooperates with the Vietnamese government to promote employment, seafarer education, and education and training of marine engineers, all of whom will contribute to the development of the nation's maritime industry.

MOL's approach to fostering a maritime workforce in Vietnam for MOL-operated vessels includes the following:

  • Increase the number of Vietnamese seafarers
    The company has begun to allocate Vietnamese crew to an MOL-operated, Japanese-flagged ship, and plans to increase the number of vessels (mainly Japanese-flagged) with Vietnamese crew.
  • Cooperate with a Japanese government project that trains seafarers in developing nations
    (acceptance of ODA trainees)
    Following several years' suspension, MOL will take charge of onboard training for Vietnamese ODA cadets, in response to requests by the Vietnamese government. Classes will open in October 2006.
  • Offer onboard training for two Maritime Universities in Vietnam with the MOL Class
    Practical education and training on MOL-operated vessels and MOL Classes for students at Vietnam Maritime University and University of Transport in Ho Chi Minh City, will begin in October.
  • Technology tie-ups in the opening of national crew training centers
    MOL is now examining and discussing technological cooperation with the national crew training center that Vietnam's Ministry of Transportation Maritime Bureau plans to open in Haiphong.