Maritime trainers from four Southeast Asian countries have completed a subregional train-the-trainer workshop in Japan designed to strengthen skills for seafarers working on LNG-fuelled ships.
The week-long programme ran from 22 to 30 October and drew instructors from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Viet Nam. It was delivered as a capacity-building exercise so those instructors can, in turn, upskill crews serving on vessels using liquefied natural gas as fuel.
The workshop followed a train-the-trainer format, preparing instructors to teach technical and safety topics to seafarers rather than providing direct crew certification. Organisers framed the course as a multiplier, aimed at increasing the number of qualified trainers able to pass on LNG-specific knowledge within the subregion.
Participants completed the sessions in Japan and will return to their home states with the expectation of applying the curriculum locally. The activity was presented as part of wider efforts to ensure seafarers receive targeted instruction for ships operating on alternative marine fuels.
The International Maritime organisation is cited as the broader driver of the initiative, with the workshop forming part of its continuing focus on the competency of personnel serving aboard LNG-fuelled vessels. Organisers described the event as contributing to interoperable training standards across participating nations.
Workshop content and delivery
Course material concentrated on trainer preparation rather than direct seafarer assessment, equipping maritime instructors with teaching methods and subject-matter guidance relevant to LNG fuel systems. The approach was intended to allow each country to adapt and scale instruction for its national seafarer population.
Instructors who took part were drawn from maritime training establishments and agencies across the four named countries. The subregional grouping reflects existing cooperation on maritime training issues in East and Southeast Asia.
Regional capacity-building and next steps
By focusing on a train-the-trainer model, the initiative sought to create a sustainable training pathway within the region so that knowledge can be cascaded to crews without repeated external support. The expectation is that a cohort of certified trainers will enable more rapid dissemination of LNG safety practices ashore and afloat.
Those behind the programme signalled that similar capacity-building efforts remain a priority as the use of alternative fuels expands. The workshop was positioned as one element in a continuing programme of technical assistance and education.
Sources indicated the completion of the Japan workshop on 6 November 2026, noting the dates and participating countries. The report highlights the subregional nature of the course and its link to international training efforts.