The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency has formally recognised two marine crew training courses for gaseous and liquid hydrogen developed by Mark Shiner of UHI Orkney College and hydrogen consultant Jon Clipsham, a director of Hydrogen Scotland. This recognition follows the team’s successful training of the crew of the MV Breakthrough, the world’s first liquid hydrogen super yacht, and growing demand from operators of other innovative vessels.
Mark Shiner, Head of the Maritime Studies Department at UHI Orkney, recently addressed an audience of around 130 international delegates at the United Nations’ International Maritime Organisation (IMO) headquarters in London. Mark spoke alongside members of the Zero Emissions Ship Technology Association (ZESTAs), highlighting UHI Orkney’s leading role in advancing clean maritime training and zero-emission vessel operations.
Speaking about his address to the IMO, Mark Shiner said: “I was very proud to be, literally, on the world stage talking about our training and showing, yet again, that Orkney punches above its weight. I’m looking forward to delivering training to some fascinating vessels in the coming months and years. This not only strengthens our reputation but also supports the sustainability of the Nav School at a local level.”
The IMO, the maritime arm of the United Nations, sets global regulations for ship construction, navigation, maritime law, and crew training. Its assemblies bring together representatives from member states to scrutinise and shape every aspect of international maritime policy. A key focus of this session was the urgent need to train crews to safely operate vessels powered by new, greener fuels such as hydrogen, methanol, ammonia, and battery-electric systems.
UHI Orkney has been at the forefront of this transition for several years. Its hydrogen vessel training began with Orkney Ferries and an experimental hydrogen installation on the MV Shapinsay. Since then, demand for this specialist training has increased significantly, with the ‘Nav School’ receiving enquiries from a range of pioneering vessel projects worldwide.
Mark and his team are also working closely with vessel developers supported by the UK Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, continuing UHI Orkney’s contribution to the UK’s transition to a cleaner, greener maritime future.
About Orkney College UHI Maritime Studies Department: based at its pier in Stromness, the Orkney College ‘Nav School’ has been training seafarers for over 50 years. They work closely with the local renewables fleet and the surrounding industry, offering a range of short courses tailored to meet the needs of the fishing and merchant marine sectors, as well as the latest regulations. The department also provides land and marine-based engineering training, incorporating the College’s Engineering Department. Many of the college instructors are currently serving at sea, while also providing training at the department when on shore, thereby providing the department with a team that is up to date, highly motivated, and aware of modern training needs. Orkney College has also played a pivotal role in developing bespoke marine training for innovative hydrogen projects, including Surf N Turf, HyDIME, HySEAS III, and BIGHIT, which is now recognised as Europe’s first Hydrogen Valley.
You can learn more about the announcement here: https://www.orkney.uhi.ac.uk/news/uhi-orkney-presents-hydrogen-shipping-expertise-on-the-world-stage-at-the-united-nations.html
