TRAINING AND MANNING FOR THE EXPANDING FLEET OF LNG CARRIERS

摘要

Over the next few years, the world LNG fleet is set to expand at an unprecedented rate. With many new ships and new Operators entering the fleet. The LNG trade depends on safe & reliable ship operation for its continued commercial success. International requirements are set by IMO in respect of minimum training standards for sea-farers, with specific extra training required to meet the exacting challenge of carrying cryogenic LNG cargoes. SIGTTO has voluntarily introduced training standards above and beyond IMO levels, and has also published a minimum experience level for the various Senior Officer ranks on board any LNGC. The paper will examine the challenges facing individual Operators - and the LNG shipping industry as a whole - from this sudden upsurge in demand for experienced and highly-trained sea staff. Set against a background where recruitment of seagoing personnel is increasingly difficult, and the fact that it takes around 10 years to train a Cadet to take Command (either of an engine room or of the entire ship). The growing shortage of sea-staff is also affecting experience levels ashore, which in turn can impact the reliability of the shipping operation itself. The Author will draw on many years - experience in training sea-staff LNG to suggest solutions to this growing problem in our industry.