OSG offers training berths on ships

OSG offers training berths on ships The U.S. Maritime Administration and Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. have signed an agreement that will provide training opportunities for U.S. maritime academy cadets on board the company’s foreign-flag and U.S.-registered ships.
   Under terms of the agreement, cadets from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and state maritime academies in California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Texas and Michigan will be able to obtain training billets on OSG’s ships. OSG has a fleet of 144 ships that are operating, under construction or on order.
   “It is impossible for aspiring mariners to obtain a merchant marine officer license without sufficient sea service,” said Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughton. “This agreement will expand the opportunities for American cadets to train on one of the world’s largest and most modern commercial fleets.”
   Under international and national requirements, maritime academy cadets must serve at sea for an average of 300 days in order to obtain enough shipboard training for a merchant marine officer license.
   “This agreement is important for OSG and the rest of the maritime industry,” said Robert Johnston, senior vice president and head of shipping operations at OSG. “The health of the entire marine transportation industry depends on the availability of trained and skilled merchant mariners.”
   Today’s signing ceremony was held at the Maine Maritime Academy, one of the state academies covered by the agreement, during an annual meeting of the presidents of the U.S. maritime academies.