SCHULTE Group, in collaboration with its Chinese partners Huayang Maritime Center Co and Haikou Xinhaina Port and Shipping Technology, launched a joint venture in China, to provide training for Chinese crews amid the shipping industry’s energy transition.

The joint venture BSM-HMC Maritime Services, located in Haikou, the capital city of Hainan island, will supply highly trained Chinese crew to Schulte Group’s owned and managed vessels, and also provide more talents to the whole industry, the German company said.

The global shortage of seafarers is putting pressure on the maritime industry, an issue which becomes even more pressing in light of the green transition, said Schulte Group, chief executive Ian Beveridge.

“With the increasing number of dual-fuel ships on order, the time is now to adequately train Chinese crews for these high-end vessels, especially in the LNG field.”

As a key source of seafarer workforce, China has dispatched approximately 1.4m seafarers over the past decade. Beveridge said that shipmanagers need to provide a career track to young people, especially in countries with favourable demographics.

Beijing-headquartered Huayang, an important crew manning company in China, and Haikou-based Xinhaina, a crew training firm, will leverage their local strengths to support the joint venture.

Schulte attributed the expansion of its training business to Hainan island, China’s southernmost province, to its geographical advantages and favourable policies. Hainan is poised to become a free-trade port next year, with an independent customs regime scheduled to be in place by the end of 2025.

Download the Lloyd’s List App — the essential tool for staying ahead in the maritime industry, anytime, anywhere! Available now on the App Store and Google Play. More information here