Tug Training & Consultancy (TTC) and Maritime Training Institute (MTI) will develop a strategic partnership to teach tugboat operations in Pakistan
TTC has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with MTI Karachi to train tug masters, pilots and ship crews in Pakistan. This comes as Pakistani vessel and port operators increasingly require certified training and new tugs are built for ship handling in growing terminals.
TTC, part of Kotug Group, said it is the only ISO 9001-certified tug training company in the world. It will provide training courses and personnel for trainees at MTI’s Maritime Simulator Centre in Karachi. Joint pilot-tug master training will be provided to promote efficient teamwork between maritime pilots and tug masters during ship manoeuvring in ports and channels.
TTC general manager Patrick Everts said Pakistan is one of the key growth markets in tug services and training. “MIT’s training facilities encompass combined classroom and simulator training on state-of-the-art simulators, in combination with onboard training,” said Mr Everts.
These simulators prepare students for expected and unexpected real-life situations, he said. “We are looking forward to starting our training and providing the students with our highly regarded TTC certificate, ensuring more safety and efficiency to the maritime industry,” Mr Everts added.
He was on the panel of Riviera Maritime Media’s Smart tug operations: harnessing data and digitalisation webinar as general manager Kotug affiliate OptiPort on 31 March, part of Riviera’s ITS TUGTECHNOLOGY Webinar Week, which was supported by the European Tugowners Association and UK Maritime Pilots Association.
MTI managing director Captain Ajmal Mahmoodi said MTI has upgraded its simulators in the Karachi centre. “With this partnership, training can be conducted in Pakistan and will be beneficial to all Pakistani seafarers as they obtain the worldwide-recognised TTC certification,” said Capt Mahmoodi.
Training is required for crew to work on a new series of tugs Uzmar Shipyard is building for Karachi Port Trust. Uzmar is building four terminal and escort tugboats in Turkey for deliveries in 2021.
In April 2021, Sanmar Shipyard won a contract to build four escort and harbour tugs, and two pilot boats for Port Qasim Authority in Pakistan, with the tugs scheduled to be delivered within 12 months and the pilot boats in 10 months.
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