While the shipping industry continues to experience uncertainties in the market, it remains dynamic in terms of technical developments and expectations of revitalized activities. Most companies continue to invest in facilities and development of human resources in order to keep abreast of ever-changing requirements of the industry. One such company is Intership Navigation Training Center (ISNTC), which endeavors to be at the forefront of competence development with its continuous upgrading of facilities and training programs that are responsive to the requirements of the industry.

Last April 24, 2015, ISNTC formally launched its engine workshop located in one of their practical training sites in Malate, Manila. The engine workshop is a joint project between ISNTC, Intership Navigation Co. Ltd  (ISN) and International Maritime Training Trust (IMTT). This is the latest addition to the company’s training facilities, which include practical sites for engine and culinary training, crane training and practical area for deck works, as well as offices for administration, faculty, and bridge and engine simulator training.

At the opening rites, Mr. Giovanni Tuapin, President of ISNTC, welcomed industry partners and thanked them for participating in such an important milestone of the company. The program was then keynoted by Mr. Dieter Rohdenburg, CEO of Intership Navigation Co. Ltd. Cyprus, who underscored the importance of opening the new engine workshop as part of the company’s commitment in continuously upgrading its training capacities for the benefit of seafarers and the shipping industry in general. The messages were followed by a tour of the workshop facilities as well as a working demonstration of its equipments.

Also part of the program was the presentation of certificates of donation to ISNTC partner-schools. The company presented certificates to Mindanao Polytechnic College (MPC) and DMMA College of Southern Philippines (DCSP) featuring equipments for training purposes in the two institutions.

In his closing remarks, Capt. Rene Dzicki, Head of Training Department of Intership Navigation, elucidated the company’s training philosophy and exhorted the attendees to be proactive in training development in the country and the industry as well.

In a press briefing following the program, Mr. Rohdenburg further explained that ISNTC serves as the training arm of the Hartmann Group, a business conglomerate with interests in the shipping industry and corporate offices in Germany and Cyprus.

In the Philippines, ISNTC was established in 1999 primarily to address the training needs of the Hartmann Group for their Filipino seafarers. Since then, it has grown and expanded to serve seafarers from other shipping and manning companies. According to Mr. Rohdenburg, ISNTC has already trained more than 1,500 cadets, about 500 of whom now serve as officers in Hartmann vessels. More seafarers are expected to benefit with the opening of the engine workshop. As Capt. Dzicki elaborated, ISNTC is proactive in initiating training programs for competence development of seafarers and operational efficiency of vessels. And as Mr. Rohdenburg concluded, the company shall always be committed to training development, keeping abreast of industry requirements and equally active in fulfilling them.