A training program established by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) for seafarers assigned to LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) carriers has been accredited by the Norwegian shipping classification society Det Norske Veritas (DNV) to be in accordance with LNG Shipping Suggested Competency Standards (SIGTTO Standards).

SIGTTO (Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators Limited) with a membership that includes the major oil companies, gas, electric and gas tanker transport companies, is an organization that aims at ensuring the safety of the LNG and LPG business, from production / transport to consumption. The SIGTTO Standards were established as standards for the training of seafarers on LNG carriers and acquisition of accreditation under these standards means that the training for seafarers on LNG carriers implemented by “K” Line is internationally recognized as meeting the stringent training requirements necessary to ensure the safe operation of LNG carriers.

“K” Line’s transport of LNG started in 1983 as the first Japanese owner/operator of the LNG carrier “Bishu Maru:’  Since then, “K” Line has participated in the Badak II, Arun II and Qatar gas projects for transport of LNG from regions such as Indonesia and Qatar to Japan and has successfully operated accident -free voyages even between countries other than Japan, earning a reputation from its customers as a safe, highly reliable carrier “K” Line boasts a fleet of 48 LNG vessels (participating in 16 projects) as of August 2007, including vessels under construction, and is planning to expand to approximately 90 vessels by the midd le of 201 Os. Using its successes in projects involving Japanese buyers as a foothold, “K”Line continues to participate in major international projects and, with the prospect of heightened demand in the future, undertakes to positively meet global LNG shipping demands with flexibility.

The SIGTTO accreditation extends to the “K” Line Maritime Academy (Japan), the company’s training center in Machida, the”K”Line Maritime Academy  (Philippines), training center in Manila as  well as training instructors in both Japan and the  Philippines. Furthermore, the “K” Line Maritime  Academy (India), the company’s training center in Mumbai, is also scheduled to be registered for  accreditation once the necessary preparations  have been completed, thereby forming a seafarers’  training organization covering three major  regions around the world.

Following acquisition of SIGTTO accreditation,  “K” Line will undertake implementation of even more thorough training of its seafarers to ensure  that crews on LNG carriers operated by the “K”  Line group are equipped with ever higher levels  of skill, thereby contributing to safe operation  of LNG carriers and the stable supply of LNG.

(Source: www.kline.co.jp)