National Taiwan Ocean University Center of Media, Public Relations and Publishing

National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) is actively assisting in the establishment of a talent pool for the offshore wind energy industry. In order to enrich the talent pool for maritime engineering in Taiwan, assist Changhua residents and fishermen in enhancing their capabilities for transformation, and provide guidance to young individuals interested in offshore wind maritime operations, NTOU, under the full sponsorship and promotion of the global offshore wind energy leader, Ørsted, and executed by Dong Fang Offshore, has been entrusted with the organization of the "Level B Seafarer Maritime Training Program" through an Industry-Academy Cooperation model.

Offshore wind farms require different types of vessels to carry out tasks such as surveys, transportation, construction, safety maintenance, and supplies throughout the development, construction, and over 25-year operational phases. Among these tasks, the crew members on work vessels play a crucial role. This training program aims to recruit a total of 20 trainees and provide them with a 392-hour training course. The program complies with the training requirements for Level B Seafarer Maritime Science and Assistant Level Navigation Duty set by the Maritime Port Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC). Upon completion of the program, the trainees will be eligible to obtain Level B Seafarer qualifications and receive certificates for security responsibilities and security awareness. After completing an internship, they can also obtain certificates for operating life rafts and lifeboats, as well as Assistant Level Navigation Duty certificates.

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Previously, the Maritime Development and Training Center at NTOU offered courses and training exclusively for Level A seafarers and senior professionals in the shipping industry, which have produced many captains and harbor masters. This marks the first time National Taiwan Ocean University has opened a Level B Seafarer training program aimed at cultivating qualified crew members for wind turbine installation vessels. The curriculum is jointly planned with the Chinese Maritime Institute, with basic safety and assistant level navigation duty training conducted at the center. Practical courses are taught by experienced captains with abundant navigation experience, while theoretical and practical courses are taught by dedicated NTOU professors who possess comprehensive knowledge and practical experience. The helm training utilizes a ship handling simulator to conduct practical exercises, allowing trainees to not only practice helm commands and ship handling but also experience the dynamics of vessel navigation at sea. Through training on the ship handling simulator, their professional skills and abilities in maritime navigation safety are undoubtedly enhanced, thereby contributing to the quality of offshore wind operations in Taiwan.

Ørsted, the global leader in offshore wind energy, is the only company with extensive experience in offshore wind farm development, construction, operation, and decommissioning. In 2018, Ørsted secured a total of 1.82 GW grid connection capacity for the Greater Changhua Offshore Wind Farms through the selection and bidding process for potential sites. This not only contributes to the promotion of Taiwan's energy transition but also supports the development of the local supply chain and talent pool through large-scale wind farms, creating long-term value for the local community. Dong Fang Offshore, adhering to the sustainable business philosophy of its parent company, Hung Hua Construction Co., Ltd., focuses on the operational management of offshore wind turbine installation vessels and maritime engineering. The company has made significant investments in maritime engineering talent training, making it the largest company in Taiwan in terms of the scale of engineering vessels related to offshore wind farms.