Under the MoU, Peninsula and the University will establish a joint study group tasked with developing educational and training content on alternative marine fuels, looking specifically at the transportation, storage, and supply of these fuels. The partnership will include subject matter experts from Peninsula delivering some guest lectures at the University.
The ongoing transition to alternative marine fuels has revealed a significant skills gap in shipping, with research suggesting that growing industry demand for alternative fuels far outpaces the pool of seafarers who are qualified to handle these fuels.
John A. Bassadone, Founder and CEO of Peninsula, said: “In line with the industry’s commitment to decarbonizing, many of our customers are looking into alternative marine fuels such as LNG and biofuels for the first time, and skills gaps can be a barrier to adoption. Simply put, the demand on the seafarer community will increase and we want to be there to help customers close the skills gap.
“Our motivation for entering into partnership with the University of Gibraltar is to support our community, customers, and indeed the wider industry amid the transition to cleaner fuels. The University has a reputation for producing cadets who are both technically capable and industry-ready and for upskilling current seafarers, and we’re proud to continue contributing to this.
“By contributing to developing a robust framework for specialized training and education, we hope this initiative will make it easier for organizations to access resources and upskill their teams so that we’re ready to meet IMO and the industry’s long-term sustainability goals.”
Aaron Lopez, Head of Maritime Academy from the University of Gibraltar, added: “Seafarers are vitally important to the world economy—working behind the scenes, they are responsible for the movement of almost all the world’s goods.
“We need to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to do this important job, particularly as the fuel landscape continues to evolve.
“At the University of Gibraltar, we’re proud to be at the forefront of maritime education and training, preparing cadets to meet the demands of a changing industry. Through our partnership with Peninsula, we will gain valuable insight from a global leader in bunkering and together begin to address the skills gaps that come with the transition to cleaner fuels.”
