Netherlands Shipping Training Centre en Palompon

Since 2001 the KVNR has been involved in a joint venture with a Philippine nautical academy, the Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT), in order to educate and train prospective officers for the Dutch fleet. The Shipping and Transport College (STC) based in Rotterdam is responsible for monitoring and safeguarding educational standards at PIT. In April of 2010, the 9th edition of cadets was selected, consisting of 61 deck cadets and 72 engine room cadets. Those selected will be serving their cadetships in the year to come (2010-2011). Once their cadetships have been completed, the cadets can then sit a state examination in the Philippines to obtain their Filipino deck officer certificates of competency. Since the start of the project, a total number of 877 cadets have been selected, 724 of them are still employed on board of KVNR members’ ships.

On Friday 23 April 2010, Mr. Rob Huyser, director of Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Transport, Public Works & Water Management, and Mrs. Delia Combista, PIT president, opened a new building for the benefit of the engineers’ course. The new building was partly financed by the Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management and provides PIT with modern facilities for the education of engineers. KVNR members, STC and the KNRV’s Special Purposes Foundation all made donations to equip the building. It has been named for the KVNR’s former chairman, Mr. Aart Korteland. During the opening the KVNR’s vice-president, Mr Marnix van Overklift, unveiled a plaque.

PIT, STC and the KVNR jointly established the Netherlands Shipping Training Centre (NSTC) in 2005, which offers maritime training courses in Palompon. NSTC currently offers eight training courses, including the STCW courses: ‘Basic Training, Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat’, ‘Advanced Fire Fighting’ and ‘Medical First Aid’. In 2009 1612 trainees attended the NSTC. Its facilities include dormitory accommodation for its students as well as 100 PIT nautical students.