A live methanol firefighting exercise and cutting-edge Virtual Reality tools spotlighted the frontline risks seafarers face in the fuel transition, during a four-day training seminar in Singapore.

The event brought together government officials, maritime trainers and industry stakeholders to advance the preparation of training for seafarers working on ships powered by alternative fuels and new technologies, such as methyl/ethyl alcohol, ammonia, hydrogen, LPG and battery-powered ships, among others.

Held alongside Singapore’s International Safety@Sea Conference, the seminar (14 to 17 July 2025) formed part of IMO’s efforts to ensure that seafarers are well-equipped to meet the demands of the decarbonizing maritime industry.

Designed to bridge policy, education and practice, the programme featured presentations by Maritime Education and Training (MET) institutions, as well as insights from partners of the Maritime Just Transition Task Force and representatives from industry stakeholders.

A panel discussion with MET institutions explored solutions to key challenges such as limited training capacity and lack of experiences for handling new fuels and technologies. Focus groups allowed participants to share national strategies for aligning their training frameworks with the ongoing development of IMO training guidelines for seafarers on ships powered by alternative fuels and new technologies. Delegates from countries in the region also shared practical experiences with training seafarers for service on LNG-fuelled ships.

A dedicated session on gender mainstreaming in training reaffirmed IMO’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable maritime workforce.

The sessions culminated in a live methanol firefighting drill, which underscored the importance of emergency preparedness when handling new alternative fuels. Participants also engaged in hands-on demonstrations of advanced simulation systems and VR tools at the Singapore Maritime Academy, Singapore’s Centre of Excellence in Maritime Safety (CEMS) and Wavelink Maritime Institute, gaining practical exposure to cutting-edge instructional technologies.

The seminar was co-organized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the IMO Secretariat, under IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), in collaboration with the Sustainable Maritime Transport Cooperation (SMART-C) Programme. Participants are expected to play an active role in the ongoing work at IMO, particularly in the development of training provisions for seafarers serving on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies.
Source: IMO