NYK launches training scheme for senior Chinese pilots

NYK has announced the commencement of its Chinese Pilots Training Programme in cooperation with the China Maritime Pilots` Association (CMPA). For CMPA, it`s the first training programme to be conducted onboard Japanese containerships.

The exercise is organised and supported by the Ministry of Transport (MoT) of China. "The joint programme aims to provide Chinese pilots the chance to closely observe pilot operations at major international ports and further enrich their maritime and pilot operation experiences through related training courses," a statement from the Japanese shipping group said.


Under MoT direction, CMPA selected "excellent" Chinese pilots, the youngest of whom is only 28, and recommended them for participation as trainees in the programme.


So far four Chinese pilots have participated in recent training sessions onboard container ships deployed on the north and central China East Coast Express service, with two of the pilots boarding the NYK Delphinus at the Shanghai Yangshan Terminal in July, and the other two boarding the NYK Diana at the Shenzhen Shekou Terminal. "All four safely returned to Shanghai at the end of September after a fruitful two month training course," NYK said.


NYK added that it had arranged for 10 Chinese pilots to attend onboard training, as a part of this programme, until the end of September, and another eight Chinese pilots are scheduled to attend the course before the end of March 2011.