Double Awards

D E C E M B E R
2 0 0 9Trika Pitana (Indonesia, 2005)

I would like to take this opportunity to sharemy happiness with everyone. After a longtime waiting for a baby, my princess wasborn on September 16, 2009, in Kobe,
Japan, at 2,344g and 48.5cm, and healthy.
Her name is Aiko Alidanisha Pitana. Aikomeans love, and Alidanisha means wise andbroad-minded. We hope that she will loveand be loved, and will be a caring andthoughtful person.
After getting the first award, on

Good Time in Bangkok
There is a common saying which says,“Mountains never meet but humans can”.
This came true when I attended an
International Course on “Integrated Coastal
Zone Management (ICZM)” in Thailand
from August 24 to Sept 28, 2009, and met
with Sasakawa Fellow and WMU former
student Mr. Theerapong Bhothirungsi(Thailand, 2008) in Bangkok.
It was a special Saturday on September
26, at 10:10pm, waiting for our dinner
somewhere in the middle of Bangkok. Next

September 25th, I got my Ph.D degree(second award) from Kobe University in thefield of maritime sciences, especiallymaritime safety. I would like to thank Prof.
Eiichi Kobayashi, my supervisor, and Prof.
Kenji Ishida, who helped me get a
Monbukagakusho scholarship. Hopefully,
my knowledge obtained from Kobe
University will be beneficial to the maritime
field in Indonesia.

Hassan Mrisho Kheri (Tanzania, 2008)

to me was a lovely participant from
Mombasa, Siti Bendera, and next toTheerapong was his lovely Thai girlfriend.
OPRF and WMU have truly created a
global network, connecting people togetherof “different color, different languages, but
we never feel alone” in Bangkok. As the
President of WMU, Dr. Bjorn Kjerfve said,“WMU’s graduates have already created arich network of contacts.” Ahsante (Thank
you)!

29
Japan Field Study Trip 2009
Sept. 8

Sept. 10

Sept. 10

Sept. 7

Seminar Presentation at WMUMiss Carolyn Graham, Sasakawa graduate of the World Maritime
University, Class of 2008, was recently invited back to the University tomake a presentation to students in the annual Maritime
Administration Seminar organized by Professor Jens-Uwe Schroder,
The Nippon Foundation Chair of Maritime Administration.
The theme of the seminar was “Contemporary Opportunities andChallenges for Aspiring Maritime States” and one area of focus was the
Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS). The
rationale for the seminar was that many of the students at WMU are
from developing countries and oftentimes the predominant
perspectives that are presented at seminars and conferences are those ofdeveloped countries. In an effort to respond to this concern of students,
the seminar was organized to give timely and practical knowledge to

Hello Everyone!! I am pleased to inform you that I have become anew member of the editorial board of this newsletter.
I have engaged in developing international regulations on
maritime safety and marine environment protection. In my 10-year
career in the maritime sector and through my recent experiences at
IMO meetings, I believe that an international “people-to-peoplelink” is essential for us to develop not only technical regulations but
also world maritime industries.
I also believe that the network of friends who graduate from
WMU is a most valuable asset and a key factor in developing thestudents that may be utilized in their administrations when they return
home.
Miss Graham, who has been named the designated Central Pointof Contact to the IMO for Jamaica’s preparations to be audited, and
who is coordinating Jamaica’s preparations for VIMSAS, was invited
to present on “Maritime Administration – Working on a Flag State
Implementation Strategy – the Case of Jamaica.”
The Seminar sought to be comprehensive in the topics presented,
to give students a wide knowledge based on the scheme from thebackground of VIMSAS to practical ways of developing a strategy, toregional cooperation, funding possibilities and administrations’relationship with classification societies. The seminar was well attended
and very informative, not only for students but for presenters as well.

maritime sector, and how to further strengthen ties.
I will do my utmost to contribute to expanding the WMU
family network by joining the board and providing information oninternational regulations and standards in this newsletter. And,please don’t hesitate to contact me if you see me somewhere in theworld, such as at IMO meetings.
Masanori YOSHIDA
Japan Ship Technology Research Association

Starting on September 6, 2009, twenty-seven freshmen World Maritime
University (WMU) Sasakawa Scholarship students were invited to Japan fora weeklong training course. The course consisted in visiting The Nippon
Foundation and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport andTourism in the Tokyo area as well as maritime and cultural facilities in local
areas outside urban centers.

Welcome reception The students were greeted by more than 150 guests
invited for the occasion and were warmly welcomed by Mr. Taketoshi
Ogata, President of The Nippon Foundation, and Dr. Bjorn Kjerfve,
President of WMU, who was in Japan on business. Mr. Ono, Director
General of the Maritime Bureau at MLIT proposed a toast to the students’promising future.

September 7: A visit to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, September 8: A visit to the Japan Coast Guard’s Yokohama
Transport and Tourism (MLIT) A courtesy visit was made to Mr. Ono,
Director General of the Maritime Bureau, followed by a presentation madeby Mr. Otsubo, Director for International Regulations, Safety Standards
Div., Maritime Bureau, covering a broad range of subjects, including Japan’scontribution to the successful process of establishing IMO-related
international conventions, as well as the importance of the technologicalunderpinning required in regulations concerning gas emissions, ship
recycling, ballast water treatment, safety, and the environment. Students
were highly motivated and asked many questions.
Courtesy Call on Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, the Chairman of The
Nippon Foundation Understandably, the visiting students were
somewhat tense as they neared this important occasion. However, as soon as
Mr. Sasakawa joined them with his characteristic warm smile, the students
seemed themselves again. After Mr. Bruce Browne, the Vice-President of
WMU, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the visitors, the students tookturns introducing themselves. Mr. Sasakawa turned to the hopeful group ofyoung people saying, “You are my treasures, as each scholarship student is
expected to play an important future role in the international maritime field.”
He told them to keep in close touch with The Nippon Foundation after theirgraduation.

Marine Disaster Prevention Base The group visited the three different
Water Training Tanks for lifesaving and salvage work and were shown the
training of a special rescue team. The students then visited the MaterialStoreroom where they received an explanation on the prevention andremoval of marine oil-spills. The last visit of the morning was to the Japan
Coast Guard Museum Yokohama where a suspected North Korean spy boat
was exhibited. Mr. Tokimasa Yokoi (Japan, 2008) was on site as a goodwill
guide, and supporter to give a helpful explanation.
NYK Maritime Museum After being welcomed by Mr. Akamine, theVice Director of the Museum, the visiting students learned about the history
of Nippon Yusen K.K. (NYK LINE) and the impact that maritime
transport has had on Japan, in a lecture by Mr. Uematsu, a special advisor to
the Ocean Policy Research Foundation (OPRF).
Yokohama Port Museum The visiting students were greeted by Mr.
Shizawa, Vice-President of Yokohama Port Museum, and were then given
a description by Capt. Yamamoto of the ship as well as an account of the
training of the sailors. The students were then invited onboard the ship andshown around. Mr. Kimura, a former professor at WMU and others were
there to provide explanations on the ship’s interior.

Sept. 7

Sept. 8

Sept. 9

Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pelayaran (STIP)
Maritime Higher Education and Training Institute, Jakarta, Indonesia
Yan Risuandi
Principal, Maritime Higher Education Institute(Indonesia, 1990)

Sept. 9Sept. 9Sept. 10

Sept. 11

Sept. 11

Sept. 12September 9: A ride on the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Shizuoka. joining the twenty-seven WMU students for interesting discussions in three
A visit to YAMAHA Motor Co., Ltd - Fukuroi Plant The groupobserved a series of work processes including the manufacturing of outboard
engines, a surface treatment area, an engine assembly, preparation of
products for shipment and more. Since outboard engines are quite familiar
to most of the students, many questions were asked during the Q/A session.
TOYOTA Motor Corporation Students were thrilled to visit thewelding zone of the Tsutsumi Plant where the popular Prius hybrid cars areassembled. Approximately 400 parts and components are welded onto asingle car by dozens of industrial robots that seem to have lives of their own.
Students also learned that TOYOTA is dedicated to reforestation for theprotection of the environment.

September 10: Port of Nagoya On a chartered boat, the Nagoya

Port Authority gave a lecture to students on the history of the port as well as
the present situation regarding the container port. Then they kindly took thestudents around Japan’s first automated terminal at Tobishima quay on Port
Island. Not surprisingly, students had a great many questions to ask.
Universal Shipbuilding Corporation Students visited the assemblyplant and shipbuilding dock at the company’s Tsu Shipyard. The Tsu
Shipyard is suited for building 200,000 ton bulk cargo ships, and thestudents saw work in operation. The dock opens from both sides so that at all
times it is able to construct 1.5 large ships. Many of the visiting students are
involved in administration and education, so this visit gave them valuable
experience as they have little opportunity to see a dock of this kind. The tour
was also a good opportunity for us to show them the high level of Japanese
shipbuilding expertise.

September 11: Kobe University, Faculty of Maritime

Sciences WMU has an academic exchange agreement with Kobe
University and there are active exchanges of teaching staff between the two
institutions. Following a welcome address by Mr. Keiji Oda, Dean of the
Graduate School of Maritime Sciences, a presentation was made by Mr.
Trika Pitana (Indonesia, 2005) who now has a Ph.D degree from the
University. This was followed by twenty-five students from Kobe University
Friends of WMU, JAPANgroups on the subjects of risk management, shipping, and the environment.
The group discussion was the first of its kind in this program, and to
everyone’s delight it proved successful.
Hanshin Diesel Works, LTD. The students paid a visit to the Akashi
Plant where ship’s diesel engines are manufactured and were shown the
production of mechanical components and the main equipment assembly
section. The students must have noted that in this process not everything isleft to machines, but sensitive human skills are still needed to produce theexcellent ship’s diesel engines made in Japan.

September 12: Experiencing the culture of Japan To seesome of Japan’s historical buildings, the students visited to Kiyomizudera,
Kodaiji and Sanjusangendo temples. At Kodaiji temple, students wereinvited to a tea ceremony, often considered a symbolic expression of Japan’sculture, and took part in the entire ritual. The resident priest talked to thestudents about the basics of Zen philosophy and invited all to experience
Zen meditation.
Farewell Reception Mr. Kudo, Executive Director of OPRF, made ashort speech, after which Mr. Hara, a member of the WMU Sasakawa
Scholarship Selection Committee, asked all present to join him in raising
their glasses to wish the students health and success in every undertaking.
The 2-hour reception was just great.
I have in my hand over one hundred name cards representing all
those who supported the Japan Field Study Trip. It was just a weeklong
training period but countless people were involved in its success. It is theheartfelt wish of all those who happily and willingly supported the Field Trip
that the students return to their countries feeling enriched with theknowledge and experience gained. Our secretariat would be gratified if our“goodwill investment” yielded great dividends not just in their own countries
but in our region and around the world.

Shinichi Ichikawa

Friends of WMU, Japan Secretariat

2

Overview:
Indonesia is an archipelagic state consisting of 17,000 islands, 81,000km ofcoastline, 5.9 million km2 with 240 million people. It’s a country where sea
transport is very important to spread development to remote areas. As thecheapest transport it has to be managed effectively and efficiently.
Involvement of the private sector is very important, particularly for operating
seaports.
In 2008 the Indonesian parliament agreed upon the shipping act
Undang-undang No. 17 Tahun 2008 to regulate water transport, ports,
marine safety and security and marine environmental protection. The act also
gives responsibility to the minister of transport to prepare human resources tobe able to support all regulations.
Domestic or internationally, people are now requiring sea transport with
better services, particularly regarding safety and security, and stronger marine
environmental protection. To achieve this, we must prepare professional andcompetent human resources. Difficulties arise when existing human resources
are still not professional and aren’t sufficient in quantity or quality. Regulatorsand operators need professional personnel.
While human resources lag behind, we have to cope with very fast growthin sea transport technology. Beside said above make more and to make thematter more complicated, Indonesians generally do not have a safety culture
or pay much attention to it.
Maritime education and training plays a very important role in forming
and preparing professional personnel in maritime activities, such as ship
operators, seafarers, port managers and staff, coast guard officers, harbormasters, marine inspectors and surveyors, etc., as well as educating the public
in safety culture.
In November 2008, IMO in association with ILO, BIMCO, ICS/ISF,
INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO and ITF launched a “GO TO SEA”
campaign to attract entrants to the shipping industry. The campaign was
based on a London shipping consultant’s estimated officer short fall at 34,000
against a 498,000 total, rising to 83,900 by 2012, assuming current supply
levels and fleet growth at 17%.
With this in mind, the Education and Training Agency of the Ministry ofTransport plans to get more Indonesian youth to consider seafaring as achallenging career with a good salary compared to the average shore job. They
don’t have to remain at sea for their whole lives, as these are plenty of jobs on
shore for these with a seafaring background.

STIP

Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pelayaran (STIP) / The Maritime Higher Education
and Training Institute, Jakarta, Indonesia, an institute under the Education
and Training Agency of Ministry of Transport, is the largest and the oldest
state maritime school of high education (university level) in Indonesia.
It was established in 1954 and inaugurated officially by the First
president of Indonesia, Soekarno on February 27, 1957 as the Indonesian
Merchant Marine Academy (AIP), then re-named PLAP in 1984 andagain re-named STIP.
Friends of WMU, JAPAN3

STIP is known internationally, particularly by shipping companies.
Besides Indonesians, Malaysians and Tanzanians have graduated from 1974
to 1984. And from 1962-1965 lecturers from the United States MarchantMarine Academy (USMMA) came to assist Indonesian maritime education.
At first, the institution prepared graduates for deck and engine officer
positions on board merchant vessels, then it added radio officers andmanagerial positions at land-based institutions such as shipping companies
and port authorities.
Currently, STIP provides a bachelor of applied science degree for nautical,
marine engineering, port and shipping management, besides training for
certificates of competence required in the STCW Convention and Code. It
also provides training required by shipping companies and offshore industries,
and in 2010, STIP will start a program for a master degree’s in Port andShipping Management, and Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection.
Mission:To become a leading maritime educational institution at international
standards.
1. To operate a top-class institution.
2. To conduct research and community service for the development of themaritime industry.
3. To grow human resources with good mental and moral discipline, fit for
duty in supporting the maritime industry.
4. To manage an educational organization with transparency andaccountability.

Academics:
The curriculum is based on the Indonesia Educational Standard andInternational Convention of STCW 1978 as amended, leading to a bachelorof applied science degree with a licence as a watch-keeping officer or engineer
for unlimited voyage and unlimited ships’ size or propulsion. The degree andlicence are linked, meaning the graduate receives both or neither.
The educational program at STIP is two years’ study on campus in classrooms, simulators, laboratories or workshops, one year sea training for
majoring in nautical/deck and marine engineering, and field training atshipping companies and port authorities for majoring in port and shipping
management. The fourth year is on campus, where cadets are givenknowledge to become chief mate/second engineer.
In order to promote discipline, mental and physically fitness of thegraduates, all must be members of the regiment of cadets and live in adormitory. Cadets have to follow daily activities from early in the morning
until late in the evening under the firm supervision of instructors.
STIP aims for a bright future for Indonesian youths as an institution
which contributes to safer and efficient shipping on Indonesian andinternational waters.

Sept. 7

Sept. 8

Sept. 9

Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pelayaran (STIP)
Maritime Higher Education and Training Institute, Jakarta, Indonesia
Yan Risuandi
Principal, Maritime Higher Education Institute(Indonesia, 1990)

Sept. 9Sept. 9Sept. 10

Sept. 11

Sept. 11

Sept. 12September 9: A ride on the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Shizuoka. joining the twenty-seven WMU students for interesting discussions in three
A visit to YAMAHA Motor Co., Ltd - Fukuroi Plant The groupobserved a series of work processes including the manufacturing of outboard
engines, a surface treatment area, an engine assembly, preparation of
products for shipment and more. Since outboard engines are quite familiar
to most of the students, many questions were asked during the Q/A session.
TOYOTA Motor Corporation Students were thrilled to visit thewelding zone of the Tsutsumi Plant where the popular Prius hybrid cars areassembled. Approximately 400 parts and components are welded onto asingle car by dozens of industrial robots that seem to have lives of their own.
Students also learned that TOYOTA is dedicated to reforestation for theprotection of the environment.

September 10: Port of Nagoya On a chartered boat, the Nagoya

Port Authority gave a lecture to students on the history of the port as well as
the present situation regarding the container port. Then they kindly took thestudents around Japan’s first automated terminal at Tobishima quay on Port
Island. Not surprisingly, students had a great many questions to ask.
Universal Shipbuilding Corporation Students visited the assemblyplant and shipbuilding dock at the company’s Tsu Shipyard. The Tsu
Shipyard is suited for building 200,000 ton bulk cargo ships, and thestudents saw work in operation. The dock opens from both sides so that at all
times it is able to construct 1.5 large ships. Many of the visiting students are
involved in administration and education, so this visit gave them valuable
experience as they have little opportunity to see a dock of this kind. The tour
was also a good opportunity for us to show them the high level of Japanese
shipbuilding expertise.

September 11: Kobe University, Faculty of Maritime

Sciences WMU has an academic exchange agreement with Kobe
University and there are active exchanges of teaching staff between the two
institutions. Following a welcome address by Mr. Keiji Oda, Dean of the
Graduate School of Maritime Sciences, a presentation was made by Mr.
Trika Pitana (Indonesia, 2005) who now has a Ph.D degree from the
University. This was followed by twenty-five students from Kobe University
Friends of WMU, JAPANgroups on the subjects of risk management, shipping, and the environment.
The group discussion was the first of its kind in this program, and to
everyone’s delight it proved successful.
Hanshin Diesel Works, LTD. The students paid a visit to the Akashi
Plant where ship’s diesel engines are manufactured and were shown the
production of mechanical components and the main equipment assembly
section. The students must have noted that in this process not everything isleft to machines, but sensitive human skills are still needed to produce theexcellent ship’s diesel engines made in Japan.

September 12: Experiencing the culture of Japan To seesome of Japan’s historical buildings, the students visited to Kiyomizudera,
Kodaiji and Sanjusangendo temples. At Kodaiji temple, students wereinvited to a tea ceremony, often considered a symbolic expression of Japan’sculture, and took part in the entire ritual. The resident priest talked to thestudents about the basics of Zen philosophy and invited all to experience
Zen meditation.
Farewell Reception Mr. Kudo, Executive Director of OPRF, made ashort speech, after which Mr. Hara, a member of the WMU Sasakawa
Scholarship Selection Committee, asked all present to join him in raising
their glasses to wish the students health and success in every undertaking.
The 2-hour reception was just great.
I have in my hand over one hundred name cards representing all
those who supported the Japan Field Study Trip. It was just a weeklong
training period but countless people were involved in its success. It is theheartfelt wish of all those who happily and willingly supported the Field Trip
that the students return to their countries feeling enriched with theknowledge and experience gained. Our secretariat would be gratified if our“goodwill investment” yielded great dividends not just in their own countries
but in our region and around the world.

Shinichi Ichikawa

Friends of WMU, Japan Secretariat

2

Overview:
Indonesia is an archipelagic state consisting of 17,000 islands, 81,000km ofcoastline, 5.9 million km2 with 240 million people. It’s a country where sea
transport is very important to spread development to remote areas. As thecheapest transport it has to be managed effectively and efficiently.
Involvement of the private sector is very important, particularly for operating
seaports.
In 2008 the Indonesian parliament agreed upon the shipping act
Undang-undang No. 17 Tahun 2008 to regulate water transport, ports,
marine safety and security and marine environmental protection. The act also
gives responsibility to the minister of transport to prepare human resources tobe able to support all regulations.
Domestic or internationally, people are now requiring sea transport with
better services, particularly regarding safety and security, and stronger marine
environmental protection. To achieve this, we must prepare professional andcompetent human resources. Difficulties arise when existing human resources
are still not professional and aren’t sufficient in quantity or quality. Regulatorsand operators need professional personnel.
While human resources lag behind, we have to cope with very fast growthin sea transport technology. Beside said above make more and to make thematter more complicated, Indonesians generally do not have a safety culture
or pay much attention to it.
Maritime education and training plays a very important role in forming
and preparing professional personnel in maritime activities, such as ship
operators, seafarers, port managers and staff, coast guard officers, harbormasters, marine inspectors and surveyors, etc., as well as educating the public
in safety culture.
In November 2008, IMO in association with ILO, BIMCO, ICS/ISF,
INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO and ITF launched a “GO TO SEA”
campaign to attract entrants to the shipping industry. The campaign was
based on a London shipping consultant’s estimated officer short fall at 34,000
against a 498,000 total, rising to 83,900 by 2012, assuming current supply
levels and fleet growth at 17%.
With this in mind, the Education and Training Agency of the Ministry ofTransport plans to get more Indonesian youth to consider seafaring as achallenging career with a good salary compared to the average shore job. They
don’t have to remain at sea for their whole lives, as these are plenty of jobs on
shore for these with a seafaring background.

STIP

Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pelayaran (STIP) / The Maritime Higher Education
and Training Institute, Jakarta, Indonesia, an institute under the Education
and Training Agency of Ministry of Transport, is the largest and the oldest
state maritime school of high education (university level) in Indonesia.
It was established in 1954 and inaugurated officially by the First
president of Indonesia, Soekarno on February 27, 1957 as the Indonesian
Merchant Marine Academy (AIP), then re-named PLAP in 1984 andagain re-named STIP.
Friends of WMU, JAPAN3

STIP is known internationally, particularly by shipping companies.
Besides Indonesians, Malaysians and Tanzanians have graduated from 1974
to 1984. And from 1962-1965 lecturers from the United States MarchantMarine Academy (USMMA) came to assist Indonesian maritime education.
At first, the institution prepared graduates for deck and engine officer
positions on board merchant vessels, then it added radio officers andmanagerial positions at land-based institutions such as shipping companies
and port authorities.
Currently, STIP provides a bachelor of applied science degree for nautical,
marine engineering, port and shipping management, besides training for
certificates of competence required in the STCW Convention and Code. It
also provides training required by shipping companies and offshore industries,
and in 2010, STIP will start a program for a master degree’s in Port andShipping Management, and Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection.
Mission:To become a leading maritime educational institution at international
standards.
1. To operate a top-class institution.
2. To conduct research and community service for the development of themaritime industry.
3. To grow human resources with good mental and moral discipline, fit for
duty in supporting the maritime industry.
4. To manage an educational organization with transparency andaccountability.

Academics:
The curriculum is based on the Indonesia Educational Standard andInternational Convention of STCW 1978 as amended, leading to a bachelorof applied science degree with a licence as a watch-keeping officer or engineer
for unlimited voyage and unlimited ships’ size or propulsion. The degree andlicence are linked, meaning the graduate receives both or neither.
The educational program at STIP is two years’ study on campus in classrooms, simulators, laboratories or workshops, one year sea training for
majoring in nautical/deck and marine engineering, and field training atshipping companies and port authorities for majoring in port and shipping
management. The fourth year is on campus, where cadets are givenknowledge to become chief mate/second engineer.
In order to promote discipline, mental and physically fitness of thegraduates, all must be members of the regiment of cadets and live in adormitory. Cadets have to follow daily activities from early in the morning
until late in the evening under the firm supervision of instructors.
STIP aims for a bright future for Indonesian youths as an institution
which contributes to safer and efficient shipping on Indonesian andinternational waters.

The Northwest Pacific Data Distribution
Region Meeting in Tokyo

Safety Regulations for Ships Carrying
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

Tomomi Okubo (Japan, 2006)

Masanori YOSHIDA
Chief Researcher
Japan Ship Technology Research Association

Six regions were set for Cospas-Sarsat data distribution: Data
Distribution Region (DDR), namely, Central, Eastern, Northwest Pacific(NWP), South Central, Southwest Pacific and Western, and one nodal
MCC was arranged in each DDR. Nodal MCC has a role as a focal pointand data distribution center, etc., in the region. Since Japan was decided
upon as the NWPDDR nodal MCC, JAMCC organized the meeting tomove the DDR activities forward. JAMCC and other members in the
NWPDDR-CNMCC (Beijing), HKMCC (Hong Kong), KOMCC(Taejon), TAMCC (Taipei), VNMCC (Haiphong)-discussed many
topics, such as new requirements to improve the system; Quality
Management Systems (QMS) and Medium Earth Orbit Search andRescue (MEOSAR), and back-up arrangements in case some MCCs are
not available. During the discussion, we reached a consensus supported by
the Deputy Head of Cospas Sarsat Secretariat, who also joined the meeting.
After two days, the delegates visited the JAMCC LUT on a technicaltour explaning Sky Perfect JSAT’s cooperation in maintaining the LUT
on contract with Japan. Taking two and a half hours by bus one way also
gave them a chance to see rural Japan and buy some souvenirs when thebus took a rest stop.
The three-day meeting was a success. As one of the delegates, I would
like to give my appreciation to OPRF again for giving us the chance tohold the meeting in such a nice way.

The Northwest Pacific Data Distribution Region (NWPDDR) Meeting
was held from August 26th to 28th, 2009 with financial support from the
Ocean Policy Research Foundation (OPRF) in Tokyo. The meeting
concerned the Cospas-Sarsat system, which is the system used by Satellites
to find the locations of beacons from ships/aircrafts/persons in distress.
The beacons are Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacons(EPIRB) for ships, Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT) for aircrafts
and Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) for people. When the beacon sends
an alert, the data is received by the mission control center (MCC) throughlocal user terminals (LUT) and then sent to appropriate rescue
coordination centers (RCC) for rescue activities. I guess most of thenewsletter readers are familiar with Cospas-Sarsat, especially EPIRB,
since the articles are related to the maritime world.

- Introduction -- Safety for seaborne trade of the HFCV -The prevention of global warming has been recognized as one of themost important issues in the world and international organizations
have made comprehensive contributions to establishing environmental
frameworks and measurements. The negotiation under the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on
post Kyoto Protocol is almost at the final stage. The International
Maritime Organization (IMO) has also discussed the framework to
reduce CO2 emissions from international shipping and approved therelated guidelines at the 59th Marine Environment Protection
Committee (MEPC59).
On the other hand, safety measurements have also highly
correlated with environmental items including the prevention of global
warming. I would like to present one example - safety regulations forcargo space for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCV) - in this column.

Let’s turn from the environmental challenge to safety issues.
Unfortunately, hydrogen easily reaches a detonative atmosphere, andthe energy of a hydrogen explosion is enormous. Therefore, we must
avoid tragic accidents caused by spread of fire and explosion ofhydrogen. The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea(SOLAS Convention) includes safety requirements on fire protection
for storage spaces of vehicles as follows in regulation II-2/20.
1. effective ventilation;
2. from the deck to a height of 450mm, approved safe type electricalequipment and wiring for use in an explosive petrol and air
mixture; and3. fixed fire-extinguishing systems, i.e. carbon dioxide systems having
sufficient carbon dioxide to give a minimum volume of free gas
equal to 45% of the gross volume of the cargo space.
However, current regulations have been developed for the carriageof conventional gasoline vehicles. Taking into account the demand of
HFCVs from the environmental side, an urgent review of theseregulations and establishment of new appropriate measurements has
been strongly called for.
Under such circumstances, IMO agreed to establish the agenda fordeveloping safety provisions for ships carrying HFCVs and compressed
natural gas vehicles (CNGVs) at the 85th session of Maritime Safety
Committee (MSC 85). The discussions on this item will start in April
2010.

- Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (HFCV) Various challenges by automakers have been undertaken to reduce CO2
emissions of green-house gases from automobiles, which emit around
16% of all sectors in the world. Governments and States are also
introducing infrastructures and schemes that promote the supply anduse of eco-friend technology, such as California and some other U.S.
states’ Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Programs. The Hydrogen Fuel
Cell Vehicle (HFCV), which uses hydrogen as its fuel and oxygen from
air as its oxidant and emits no CO2, is one of the best technologies forreaching our goals. The supply and demand for HFCVs will be
successfully increasing in the near future under the above
circumstances. Accordingly, demand for seaborne trade of HFCVs is
also increasing, and carriage by Pure Car Carriers (PCCs) is becoming
essential for efficient transportation of such vehicles.
Friends of WMU, JAPAN

4- Conclusion It is our goal to accomplish both maritime safety and marine
environment protection. I am really looking forward to seeing HFCVs,
carried by seaborne trade, all over the world in the near future.

WMU Graduates in Singapore!
Jerry A Nibre (Philippines, 2003)

On June 15, 2009 I reported to ReCAAP ISC as Senior Manager(Operations/Research). ReCAAP stands for Regional Cooperation
Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in
Asia Information Sharing Centre. ReCAAP ISC is the first multilateralgovernment-to-government anti-piracy organization in Asia. The Centre
was set up in Singapore as an International Organization (IO) manned bya staff of nine Singaporeans and five foreign secondees from the Japan
Coast Guard, Indian Coast Guard, China’s Ministry of Public Safety,
Korean MLTM and Philippine Coast Guard.
Recently, we were joined by Captain Hong Jong Hae, a fellow
graduate from the World Maritime University, Class of 2002. CaptainHong belongs to the Korean Ministry of Land Transportation andMaritime Affairs (MLTM). He is now designated as the Assistant
Director, Operations.
In my two-month stint with ReCAAP ISC, I had the opportunity tomeet other graduates from WMU: Mr. Mak Sideth (Cambodia, 1998) ;Commander Kentaro Furuya, Japan Coast Guard (Japan, 2003) andCaptain Wai Lynn Htut (Myanmar, 2004).
During the just concluded APEC/OPRF workshop on thestrengthening of collaboration among APEC member economies tocounter piracy and armed robbery on July 29, 2009 in Singapore, I met
Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam (Vietnam, 2002) and my colleague from thePhilippine Coast Guard, Captain Joselito F. Dela Cruz PCG (Philippine,2003). The three of us, all Sasakawa Fellows, then introduced ourselves to
Mr. Masahiro Akiyama, the Chairman of OPRF, who delivered theopening remarks during the meeting. Mr. Akiyama was very pleased andproud to see Sasakawa Fellows working together. While we had only a few
minutes together, we managed to express our mutual sense of pride andgratitude in having been Sasakawa Fellows, without which we may not be
where we are today.
Friends of WMU, JAPAN

From left: Captain Hong Jong Hae, Captain Jerry A Nibre PCG, andCommandant AA Hebbar

From left: Captain Joselito F Dela Cruz PCG, Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam,
Chairman Masahiro Akiyama of OPRF, and Captain Jerry A Nibre PCG

Another WMU graduate whom ReCAAP ISC hosted isCommandant AA Hebbar (India, 2006), TM of the Indian Coast
Guard. Commandant Hebbar participated in the Expert Working
Group Meeting hosted by ReCAAP ISC.
As I will be here in ReCAAP ISC until June 11, 2011, I will keep you
posted of any developments of mutual interest.

5

The Northwest Pacific Data Distribution
Region Meeting in Tokyo

Safety Regulations for Ships Carrying
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

Tomomi Okubo (Japan, 2006)

Masanori YOSHIDA
Chief Researcher
Japan Ship Technology Research Association

Six regions were set for Cospas-Sarsat data distribution: Data
Distribution Region (DDR), namely, Central, Eastern, Northwest Pacific(NWP), South Central, Southwest Pacific and Western, and one nodal
MCC was arranged in each DDR. Nodal MCC has a role as a focal pointand data distribution center, etc., in the region. Since Japan was decided
upon as the NWPDDR nodal MCC, JAMCC organized the meeting tomove the DDR activities forward. JAMCC and other members in the
NWPDDR-CNMCC (Beijing), HKMCC (Hong Kong), KOMCC(Taejon), TAMCC (Taipei), VNMCC (Haiphong)-discussed many
topics, such as new requirements to improve the system; Quality
Management Systems (QMS) and Medium Earth Orbit Search andRescue (MEOSAR), and back-up arrangements in case some MCCs are
not available. During the discussion, we reached a consensus supported by
the Deputy Head of Cospas Sarsat Secretariat, who also joined the meeting.
After two days, the delegates visited the JAMCC LUT on a technicaltour explaning Sky Perfect JSAT’s cooperation in maintaining the LUT
on contract with Japan. Taking two and a half hours by bus one way also
gave them a chance to see rural Japan and buy some souvenirs when thebus took a rest stop.
The three-day meeting was a success. As one of the delegates, I would
like to give my appreciation to OPRF again for giving us the chance tohold the meeting in such a nice way.

The Northwest Pacific Data Distribution Region (NWPDDR) Meeting
was held from August 26th to 28th, 2009 with financial support from the
Ocean Policy Research Foundation (OPRF) in Tokyo. The meeting
concerned the Cospas-Sarsat system, which is the system used by Satellites
to find the locations of beacons from ships/aircrafts/persons in distress.
The beacons are Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacons(EPIRB) for ships, Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT) for aircrafts
and Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) for people. When the beacon sends
an alert, the data is received by the mission control center (MCC) throughlocal user terminals (LUT) and then sent to appropriate rescue
coordination centers (RCC) for rescue activities. I guess most of thenewsletter readers are familiar with Cospas-Sarsat, especially EPIRB,
since the articles are related to the maritime world.

- Introduction -- Safety for seaborne trade of the HFCV -The prevention of global warming has been recognized as one of themost important issues in the world and international organizations
have made comprehensive contributions to establishing environmental
frameworks and measurements. The negotiation under the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on
post Kyoto Protocol is almost at the final stage. The International
Maritime Organization (IMO) has also discussed the framework to
reduce CO2 emissions from international shipping and approved therelated guidelines at the 59th Marine Environment Protection
Committee (MEPC59).
On the other hand, safety measurements have also highly
correlated with environmental items including the prevention of global
warming. I would like to present one example - safety regulations forcargo space for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCV) - in this column.

Let’s turn from the environmental challenge to safety issues.
Unfortunately, hydrogen easily reaches a detonative atmosphere, andthe energy of a hydrogen explosion is enormous. Therefore, we must
avoid tragic accidents caused by spread of fire and explosion ofhydrogen. The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea(SOLAS Convention) includes safety requirements on fire protection
for storage spaces of vehicles as follows in regulation II-2/20.
1. effective ventilation;
2. from the deck to a height of 450mm, approved safe type electricalequipment and wiring for use in an explosive petrol and air
mixture; and3. fixed fire-extinguishing systems, i.e. carbon dioxide systems having
sufficient carbon dioxide to give a minimum volume of free gas
equal to 45% of the gross volume of the cargo space.
However, current regulations have been developed for the carriageof conventional gasoline vehicles. Taking into account the demand of
HFCVs from the environmental side, an urgent review of theseregulations and establishment of new appropriate measurements has
been strongly called for.
Under such circumstances, IMO agreed to establish the agenda fordeveloping safety provisions for ships carrying HFCVs and compressed
natural gas vehicles (CNGVs) at the 85th session of Maritime Safety
Committee (MSC 85). The discussions on this item will start in April
2010.

- Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (HFCV) Various challenges by automakers have been undertaken to reduce CO2
emissions of green-house gases from automobiles, which emit around
16% of all sectors in the world. Governments and States are also
introducing infrastructures and schemes that promote the supply anduse of eco-friend technology, such as California and some other U.S.
states’ Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Programs. The Hydrogen Fuel
Cell Vehicle (HFCV), which uses hydrogen as its fuel and oxygen from
air as its oxidant and emits no CO2, is one of the best technologies forreaching our goals. The supply and demand for HFCVs will be
successfully increasing in the near future under the above
circumstances. Accordingly, demand for seaborne trade of HFCVs is
also increasing, and carriage by Pure Car Carriers (PCCs) is becoming
essential for efficient transportation of such vehicles.
Friends of WMU, JAPAN

4- Conclusion It is our goal to accomplish both maritime safety and marine
environment protection. I am really looking forward to seeing HFCVs,
carried by seaborne trade, all over the world in the near future.

WMU Graduates in Singapore!
Jerry A Nibre (Philippines, 2003)

On June 15, 2009 I reported to ReCAAP ISC as Senior Manager(Operations/Research). ReCAAP stands for Regional Cooperation
Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in
Asia Information Sharing Centre. ReCAAP ISC is the first multilateralgovernment-to-government anti-piracy organization in Asia. The Centre
was set up in Singapore as an International Organization (IO) manned bya staff of nine Singaporeans and five foreign secondees from the Japan
Coast Guard, Indian Coast Guard, China’s Ministry of Public Safety,
Korean MLTM and Philippine Coast Guard.
Recently, we were joined by Captain Hong Jong Hae, a fellow
graduate from the World Maritime University, Class of 2002. CaptainHong belongs to the Korean Ministry of Land Transportation andMaritime Affairs (MLTM). He is now designated as the Assistant
Director, Operations.
In my two-month stint with ReCAAP ISC, I had the opportunity tomeet other graduates from WMU: Mr. Mak Sideth (Cambodia, 1998) ;Commander Kentaro Furuya, Japan Coast Guard (Japan, 2003) andCaptain Wai Lynn Htut (Myanmar, 2004).
During the just concluded APEC/OPRF workshop on thestrengthening of collaboration among APEC member economies tocounter piracy and armed robbery on July 29, 2009 in Singapore, I met
Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam (Vietnam, 2002) and my colleague from thePhilippine Coast Guard, Captain Joselito F. Dela Cruz PCG (Philippine,2003). The three of us, all Sasakawa Fellows, then introduced ourselves to
Mr. Masahiro Akiyama, the Chairman of OPRF, who delivered theopening remarks during the meeting. Mr. Akiyama was very pleased andproud to see Sasakawa Fellows working together. While we had only a few
minutes together, we managed to express our mutual sense of pride andgratitude in having been Sasakawa Fellows, without which we may not be
where we are today.
Friends of WMU, JAPAN

From left: Captain Hong Jong Hae, Captain Jerry A Nibre PCG, andCommandant AA Hebbar

From left: Captain Joselito F Dela Cruz PCG, Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam,
Chairman Masahiro Akiyama of OPRF, and Captain Jerry A Nibre PCG

Another WMU graduate whom ReCAAP ISC hosted isCommandant AA Hebbar (India, 2006), TM of the Indian Coast
Guard. Commandant Hebbar participated in the Expert Working
Group Meeting hosted by ReCAAP ISC.
As I will be here in ReCAAP ISC until June 11, 2011, I will keep you
posted of any developments of mutual interest.

5

Admiral Eisuke Kudo, Executive Director of the Ocean Policy
Research Foundation, greeted the guests warmly and congratulated thestudents on their success. Congratulatory speeches were also made by
Secretary-General Mitropoulos, Dr. Kjerfve and Mr. Nagamitsu, who
also presented the certificates to the 25 very happy new Sasakawa
Fellows. Mr. Deepak Sharma of India responded on behalf of theFellows, thanking the Ocean Policy Research Foundation, The Nippon
Foundation, Admiral Kudo and his staff, and in particular Mr. Yohei
Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation, for the generous
sponsorship the Fellows had received throughout their study at theWorld Maritime University.
During the delicious buffet meal that followed, I had the opportunityof introducing two host families to Admiral Kudo and Mr. Shinichi
Ichikawa of the Ocean Policy Research Foundation. Many students
supported by the Sasakawa Fellowship Programme have been well

GRADUATION 2009Sue Jacson (WMU Associate Registrar)

On Sunday, October 4th, WMU’s Chancellor and IMO Secretary
General, Mr. Efthimios E Mitropoulos, conferred postgraduate degrees
on the World Maritime University’s Class of 2009. The first graduate of
the WMU Ph.D programme, Michael Ekow Manuel of Ghana, received
his degree, along with 84 students graduating from the Malmö-based
MSc programme in Maritime Affairs, and 18 from the distance-learning
Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Insurance.
Mr. Paul Clark, Under-Secretary of State for Transport in the UK,
was the Guest of Honour. In his speech, he noted that his parliamentary
constituency has strong links to Japan, as it was, in 1564, the birthplaceof William Adams, the first Englishman to travel, by ship, to Japan. Mr.
Clark went on: “Shipping remains the most environmentally friendly wayof transporting goods around the world, and yet nobody can ignore thefact that one of the biggest challenges we all face, whether we are fromthe developed nations or the developing world is the need to combat thethreat of climate change.”
The Chancellor gave the graduation address, in which he observed:“It is its continuing ability to produce graduates of a high quality indeed
that has brought WMU the high regard and esteem it enjoys today –qualities that are reflected in the increasing number of candidates of an
equally high calibre who apply to join its ranks. The University has been,
and will continue to be, an integral component in all matters related totransportation by sea. In fact, its role as IMO’s apex institution for
high-level maritime education and training will become even moresignificant as the importance and advantages of creating a genuine senseof corporate social responsibility, with all that that entails, become more
widely understood and recognised within the shipping industry.”
During the ceremony, the annual special awards to students wereannounced:• Deepak Raj Sharma (Sasakawa Fellow) of the Indian Coast Guard won
the Chancellor’s Medal for Academic Excellence• Meenaksi Bhirugnath of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Land
Transport & Shipping in Mauritius won the C P Srivastava Award forInternational Fellowship• Anete Logina (Sasakawa Fellow) of the Maritime Authority of Latvia
won the Pierre Léonard Prize for the Best Female Student• Deepak Raj Sharma (Sasakawa Fellow) of the Indian Coast Guard
won the Lloyd’s Maritime Academy dissertation prize• Jean-Pie Gauci-Maistre of GM International Services Ltd, Malta,
won the Informa Law dissertation prize
The graduates of 2009 bring the total to 2,855 from 158 countries
and territories, all making a tremendous impact on the global maritime
sector.
Also at graduation, the newly elected officers of the Student Council
formally took office. For the first time ever, all five of the senior
WMUSC officers are Sasakawa Fellows. Safaa Abdulhussein Jaiyz Al
Fayyadh of Iraq is President and will also serve as a member of the Boardof Governors. He will work alongside his colleagues, Prayudi Budi
Utomo of Indonesia (Vice-President), Josephine Olaso Castillo of thePhilippines (Secretary), Dang Thi Huong Giang of Vietnam (Treasurer)and Fathima Rusniya Mohamed Haris of Sri Lanka (Auditor).

A Proud Evening for New Sasakawa Fellows
Lyndell Lundahl (Student Services Officer)

Fridhemsborg mansion overlooking the Öresound was once again thesetting for a very special event in the University’s year: the annual
Reception hosted by the Ocean Policy Research Foundation tocelebrate the successful completion of studies by the graduating
Sasakawa Fellows and to award them their certificates.
In accordance with tradition, the Reception was held on the eve of
graduation, Saturday, October 3, and the imposing mansion was abuzz
with distinguished guests, University staff, first-year students and – notleast! – the graduands themselves. Distinguished guests included Mr.
Efthimios Mitropoulos, the Secretary-General of the International
Maritime Organization and Chancellor of the World Maritime
University, Mr. Masazumi Nagamitsu, the Executive Director of The
Nippon Foundation, Dr. Björn Kjerfve, President of the World
Maritime University, and Mr. Bruce Browne Vice Presidents, Mr. Roger
Jones, Professor Shuo Ma and Professor Proshanto Mukherjee.
Friends of WMU, JAPAN

6

looked-after by the host families introduced to them by the
University, and I was happy to act on Admiral Kudo’s kind suggestion ofinviting two such families to the reception. The Jeraeus family has been astaunch supporter of WMU and its students over many years, including
hosting many Sasakawa Fellows in their home in Furulund, just outside
Malmö. Ms. Anna Dalsjö has also hosted many Sasakawa Fellows in her
home: she has a particular interest in students from Myanmar, having
visited that country a number of times. Admiral Kudo expressed his
appreciation of the efforts of the host families, who reciprocated byindicating their interest in the cultural and social exchanges that the hostfamily programme enables.
The evening ended all too soon in anticipation of the big day tofollow. Graduation brings many precious memories and I am sure thatfor the new Sasakawa Fellows, the reception is a treasured one.

A Homecoming and Dinner withWMU Class 2009 Sasakawa Fellows
Rommel A. Supangan(Philippines, 2008)

On October 3, 2009, Atty. Jabeth Sena Japath A Dacanay(Philippines, 2003), Nelli Norit (Estonia, 2008) and Rommel A
Supangan (Philippines, 2008) had the honour and privilege of joining
the dinner hosted for WMU Class 2009 Sasakawa Fellows by The
Nippon Foundation. Their attendance was actually a coincidental
homecoming. Ms. Dacanay flew from Wales, United Kingdom where
she is currently a Research Fellow under the Ph.D program of The
Nippon Foundation and the Seafarers International Research Centre(SIRC) at Cardiff University. On the other hand, Ms. Norit, who is
now a Knowledge Transfer Specialist at Estonian Maritime University,
paid a visit to the WMU graduation, while Rommel Supanganattended the Maritime Labour Convention, 2009 training in Turin,
Italy.
We were very much overwhelmed by the warm welcome of Mr.
Shinichi Ichikawa of the "Friends of WMU, Japan" Secretariat of the
Ocean Policy Research Foundation, and Mr. Eisuke Kudo, its

Friends of WMU, JAPAN

7

Executive Director. The night was filled with “Hi”, “Hello”, photoops, and pleasantries with former professors, university staff and the
WMU Class 2009 Sasakawa Fellows. As WMU Alumni and
Sasakawa Fellows, the night brought us back in time to fond memories
and wonderful experiences we had. We couldn’t help remembering
how fulfilled and thrilled we were when granted membershipcertificates for Friends of WMU, Japan. It was the same enthusiasm
and exuberance reflected from the Class of 2009 Sasakawa Fellows as
they took turns receiving their certificates. Indeed, we take pride inbeing a part of the Sasakawa Network and offer our sincerest gratitude
to Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation, Japan,
who selflessly made all things possible for us.
To the proud members of the WMU Class 2009 Sasakawa
Fellows, congratulations, and we wish you all the best as you go backto your countries and fill your respective roles in the maritime field.
Certainly, our homecoming was made more memorable in sharing thepleasant evening with you.

Admiral Eisuke Kudo, Executive Director of the Ocean Policy
Research Foundation, greeted the guests warmly and congratulated thestudents on their success. Congratulatory speeches were also made by
Secretary-General Mitropoulos, Dr. Kjerfve and Mr. Nagamitsu, who
also presented the certificates to the 25 very happy new Sasakawa
Fellows. Mr. Deepak Sharma of India responded on behalf of theFellows, thanking the Ocean Policy Research Foundation, The Nippon
Foundation, Admiral Kudo and his staff, and in particular Mr. Yohei
Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation, for the generous
sponsorship the Fellows had received throughout their study at theWorld Maritime University.
During the delicious buffet meal that followed, I had the opportunityof introducing two host families to Admiral Kudo and Mr. Shinichi
Ichikawa of the Ocean Policy Research Foundation. Many students
supported by the Sasakawa Fellowship Programme have been well

GRADUATION 2009Sue Jacson (WMU Associate Registrar)

On Sunday, October 4th, WMU’s Chancellor and IMO Secretary
General, Mr. Efthimios E Mitropoulos, conferred postgraduate degrees
on the World Maritime University’s Class of 2009. The first graduate of
the WMU Ph.D programme, Michael Ekow Manuel of Ghana, received
his degree, along with 84 students graduating from the Malmö-based
MSc programme in Maritime Affairs, and 18 from the distance-learning
Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Insurance.
Mr. Paul Clark, Under-Secretary of State for Transport in the UK,
was the Guest of Honour. In his speech, he noted that his parliamentary
constituency has strong links to Japan, as it was, in 1564, the birthplaceof William Adams, the first Englishman to travel, by ship, to Japan. Mr.
Clark went on: “Shipping remains the most environmentally friendly wayof transporting goods around the world, and yet nobody can ignore thefact that one of the biggest challenges we all face, whether we are fromthe developed nations or the developing world is the need to combat thethreat of climate change.”
The Chancellor gave the graduation address, in which he observed:“It is its continuing ability to produce graduates of a high quality indeed
that has brought WMU the high regard and esteem it enjoys today –qualities that are reflected in the increasing number of candidates of an
equally high calibre who apply to join its ranks. The University has been,
and will continue to be, an integral component in all matters related totransportation by sea. In fact, its role as IMO’s apex institution for
high-level maritime education and training will become even moresignificant as the importance and advantages of creating a genuine senseof corporate social responsibility, with all that that entails, become more
widely understood and recognised within the shipping industry.”
During the ceremony, the annual special awards to students wereannounced:• Deepak Raj Sharma (Sasakawa Fellow) of the Indian Coast Guard won
the Chancellor’s Medal for Academic Excellence• Meenaksi Bhirugnath of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Land
Transport & Shipping in Mauritius won the C P Srivastava Award forInternational Fellowship• Anete Logina (Sasakawa Fellow) of the Maritime Authority of Latvia
won the Pierre Léonard Prize for the Best Female Student• Deepak Raj Sharma (Sasakawa Fellow) of the Indian Coast Guard
won the Lloyd’s Maritime Academy dissertation prize• Jean-Pie Gauci-Maistre of GM International Services Ltd, Malta,
won the Informa Law dissertation prize
The graduates of 2009 bring the total to 2,855 from 158 countries
and territories, all making a tremendous impact on the global maritime
sector.
Also at graduation, the newly elected officers of the Student Council
formally took office. For the first time ever, all five of the senior
WMUSC officers are Sasakawa Fellows. Safaa Abdulhussein Jaiyz Al
Fayyadh of Iraq is President and will also serve as a member of the Boardof Governors. He will work alongside his colleagues, Prayudi Budi
Utomo of Indonesia (Vice-President), Josephine Olaso Castillo of thePhilippines (Secretary), Dang Thi Huong Giang of Vietnam (Treasurer)and Fathima Rusniya Mohamed Haris of Sri Lanka (Auditor).

A Proud Evening for New Sasakawa Fellows
Lyndell Lundahl (Student Services Officer)

Fridhemsborg mansion overlooking the Öresound was once again thesetting for a very special event in the University’s year: the annual
Reception hosted by the Ocean Policy Research Foundation tocelebrate the successful completion of studies by the graduating
Sasakawa Fellows and to award them their certificates.
In accordance with tradition, the Reception was held on the eve of
graduation, Saturday, October 3, and the imposing mansion was abuzz
with distinguished guests, University staff, first-year students and – notleast! – the graduands themselves. Distinguished guests included Mr.
Efthimios Mitropoulos, the Secretary-General of the International
Maritime Organization and Chancellor of the World Maritime
University, Mr. Masazumi Nagamitsu, the Executive Director of The
Nippon Foundation, Dr. Björn Kjerfve, President of the World
Maritime University, and Mr. Bruce Browne Vice Presidents, Mr. Roger
Jones, Professor Shuo Ma and Professor Proshanto Mukherjee.
Friends of WMU, JAPAN

6

looked-after by the host families introduced to them by the
University, and I was happy to act on Admiral Kudo’s kind suggestion ofinviting two such families to the reception. The Jeraeus family has been astaunch supporter of WMU and its students over many years, including
hosting many Sasakawa Fellows in their home in Furulund, just outside
Malmö. Ms. Anna Dalsjö has also hosted many Sasakawa Fellows in her
home: she has a particular interest in students from Myanmar, having
visited that country a number of times. Admiral Kudo expressed his
appreciation of the efforts of the host families, who reciprocated byindicating their interest in the cultural and social exchanges that the hostfamily programme enables.
The evening ended all too soon in anticipation of the big day tofollow. Graduation brings many precious memories and I am sure thatfor the new Sasakawa Fellows, the reception is a treasured one.

A Homecoming and Dinner withWMU Class 2009 Sasakawa Fellows
Rommel A. Supangan(Philippines, 2008)

On October 3, 2009, Atty. Jabeth Sena Japath A Dacanay(Philippines, 2003), Nelli Norit (Estonia, 2008) and Rommel A
Supangan (Philippines, 2008) had the honour and privilege of joining
the dinner hosted for WMU Class 2009 Sasakawa Fellows by The
Nippon Foundation. Their attendance was actually a coincidental
homecoming. Ms. Dacanay flew from Wales, United Kingdom where
she is currently a Research Fellow under the Ph.D program of The
Nippon Foundation and the Seafarers International Research Centre(SIRC) at Cardiff University. On the other hand, Ms. Norit, who is
now a Knowledge Transfer Specialist at Estonian Maritime University,
paid a visit to the WMU graduation, while Rommel Supanganattended the Maritime Labour Convention, 2009 training in Turin,
Italy.
We were very much overwhelmed by the warm welcome of Mr.
Shinichi Ichikawa of the "Friends of WMU, Japan" Secretariat of the
Ocean Policy Research Foundation, and Mr. Eisuke Kudo, its

Friends of WMU, JAPAN

7

Executive Director. The night was filled with “Hi”, “Hello”, photoops, and pleasantries with former professors, university staff and the
WMU Class 2009 Sasakawa Fellows. As WMU Alumni and
Sasakawa Fellows, the night brought us back in time to fond memories
and wonderful experiences we had. We couldn’t help remembering
how fulfilled and thrilled we were when granted membershipcertificates for Friends of WMU, Japan. It was the same enthusiasm
and exuberance reflected from the Class of 2009 Sasakawa Fellows as
they took turns receiving their certificates. Indeed, we take pride inbeing a part of the Sasakawa Network and offer our sincerest gratitude
to Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation, Japan,
who selflessly made all things possible for us.
To the proud members of the WMU Class 2009 Sasakawa
Fellows, congratulations, and we wish you all the best as you go backto your countries and fill your respective roles in the maritime field.
Certainly, our homecoming was made more memorable in sharing thepleasant evening with you.

Double Awards

D E C E M B E R
2 0 0 9Trika Pitana (Indonesia, 2005)

I would like to take this opportunity to sharemy happiness with everyone. After a longtime waiting for a baby, my princess wasborn on September 16, 2009, in Kobe,
Japan, at 2,344g and 48.5cm, and healthy.
Her name is Aiko Alidanisha Pitana. Aikomeans love, and Alidanisha means wise andbroad-minded. We hope that she will loveand be loved, and will be a caring andthoughtful person.
After getting the first award, on

Good Time in Bangkok
There is a common saying which says,“Mountains never meet but humans can”.
This came true when I attended an
International Course on “Integrated Coastal
Zone Management (ICZM)” in Thailand
from August 24 to Sept 28, 2009, and met
with Sasakawa Fellow and WMU former
student Mr. Theerapong Bhothirungsi(Thailand, 2008) in Bangkok.
It was a special Saturday on September
26, at 10:10pm, waiting for our dinner
somewhere in the middle of Bangkok. Next

September 25th, I got my Ph.D degree(second award) from Kobe University in thefield of maritime sciences, especiallymaritime safety. I would like to thank Prof.
Eiichi Kobayashi, my supervisor, and Prof.
Kenji Ishida, who helped me get a
Monbukagakusho scholarship. Hopefully,
my knowledge obtained from Kobe
University will be beneficial to the maritime
field in Indonesia.

Hassan Mrisho Kheri (Tanzania, 2008)

to me was a lovely participant from
Mombasa, Siti Bendera, and next toTheerapong was his lovely Thai girlfriend.
OPRF and WMU have truly created a
global network, connecting people togetherof “different color, different languages, but
we never feel alone” in Bangkok. As the
President of WMU, Dr. Bjorn Kjerfve said,“WMU’s graduates have already created arich network of contacts.” Ahsante (Thank
you)!

29
Japan Field Study Trip 2009
Sept. 8

Sept. 10

Sept. 10

Sept. 7

Seminar Presentation at WMUMiss Carolyn Graham, Sasakawa graduate of the World Maritime
University, Class of 2008, was recently invited back to the University tomake a presentation to students in the annual Maritime
Administration Seminar organized by Professor Jens-Uwe Schroder,
The Nippon Foundation Chair of Maritime Administration.
The theme of the seminar was “Contemporary Opportunities andChallenges for Aspiring Maritime States” and one area of focus was the
Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS). The
rationale for the seminar was that many of the students at WMU are
from developing countries and oftentimes the predominant
perspectives that are presented at seminars and conferences are those ofdeveloped countries. In an effort to respond to this concern of students,
the seminar was organized to give timely and practical knowledge to

Hello Everyone!! I am pleased to inform you that I have become anew member of the editorial board of this newsletter.
I have engaged in developing international regulations on
maritime safety and marine environment protection. In my 10-year
career in the maritime sector and through my recent experiences at
IMO meetings, I believe that an international “people-to-peoplelink” is essential for us to develop not only technical regulations but
also world maritime industries.
I also believe that the network of friends who graduate from
WMU is a most valuable asset and a key factor in developing thestudents that may be utilized in their administrations when they return
home.
Miss Graham, who has been named the designated Central Pointof Contact to the IMO for Jamaica’s preparations to be audited, and
who is coordinating Jamaica’s preparations for VIMSAS, was invited
to present on “Maritime Administration – Working on a Flag State
Implementation Strategy – the Case of Jamaica.”
The Seminar sought to be comprehensive in the topics presented,
to give students a wide knowledge based on the scheme from thebackground of VIMSAS to practical ways of developing a strategy, toregional cooperation, funding possibilities and administrations’relationship with classification societies. The seminar was well attended
and very informative, not only for students but for presenters as well.

maritime sector, and how to further strengthen ties.
I will do my utmost to contribute to expanding the WMU
family network by joining the board and providing information oninternational regulations and standards in this newsletter. And,please don’t hesitate to contact me if you see me somewhere in theworld, such as at IMO meetings.
Masanori YOSHIDA
Japan Ship Technology Research Association

Starting on September 6, 2009, twenty-seven freshmen World Maritime
University (WMU) Sasakawa Scholarship students were invited to Japan fora weeklong training course. The course consisted in visiting The Nippon
Foundation and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport andTourism in the Tokyo area as well as maritime and cultural facilities in local
areas outside urban centers.

Welcome reception The students were greeted by more than 150 guests
invited for the occasion and were warmly welcomed by Mr. Taketoshi
Ogata, President of The Nippon Foundation, and Dr. Bjorn Kjerfve,
President of WMU, who was in Japan on business. Mr. Ono, Director
General of the Maritime Bureau at MLIT proposed a toast to the students’promising future.

September 7: A visit to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, September 8: A visit to the Japan Coast Guard’s Yokohama
Transport and Tourism (MLIT) A courtesy visit was made to Mr. Ono,
Director General of the Maritime Bureau, followed by a presentation madeby Mr. Otsubo, Director for International Regulations, Safety Standards
Div., Maritime Bureau, covering a broad range of subjects, including Japan’scontribution to the successful process of establishing IMO-related
international conventions, as well as the importance of the technologicalunderpinning required in regulations concerning gas emissions, ship
recycling, ballast water treatment, safety, and the environment. Students
were highly motivated and asked many questions.
Courtesy Call on Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, the Chairman of The
Nippon Foundation Understandably, the visiting students were
somewhat tense as they neared this important occasion. However, as soon as
Mr. Sasakawa joined them with his characteristic warm smile, the students
seemed themselves again. After Mr. Bruce Browne, the Vice-President of
WMU, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the visitors, the students tookturns introducing themselves. Mr. Sasakawa turned to the hopeful group ofyoung people saying, “You are my treasures, as each scholarship student is
expected to play an important future role in the international maritime field.”
He told them to keep in close touch with The Nippon Foundation after theirgraduation.

Marine Disaster Prevention Base The group visited the three different
Water Training Tanks for lifesaving and salvage work and were shown the
training of a special rescue team. The students then visited the MaterialStoreroom where they received an explanation on the prevention andremoval of marine oil-spills. The last visit of the morning was to the Japan
Coast Guard Museum Yokohama where a suspected North Korean spy boat
was exhibited. Mr. Tokimasa Yokoi (Japan, 2008) was on site as a goodwill
guide, and supporter to give a helpful explanation.
NYK Maritime Museum After being welcomed by Mr. Akamine, theVice Director of the Museum, the visiting students learned about the history
of Nippon Yusen K.K. (NYK LINE) and the impact that maritime
transport has had on Japan, in a lecture by Mr. Uematsu, a special advisor to
the Ocean Policy Research Foundation (OPRF).
Yokohama Port Museum The visiting students were greeted by Mr.
Shizawa, Vice-President of Yokohama Port Museum, and were then given
a description by Capt. Yamamoto of the ship as well as an account of the
training of the sailors. The students were then invited onboard the ship andshown around. Mr. Kimura, a former professor at WMU and others were
there to provide explanations on the ship’s interior.