DALIAN, China, September 14, 2026 — Fleet Management Limited and Dalian Maritime University (DMU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation in seafarer training and talent development, creating new opportunities for Chinese seafarers to enhance their skills and advance their careers.

The agreement was signed during a meeting at Dalian Maritime University attended by Capt. Soma Nair, Executive Director of Fleet Management, and senior representatives from DMU. The two sides discussed cooperation in seafarer training, with the partnership expected to expand into areas including practical training, faculty exchanges and smart shipping technology research.

Fleet Management currently supports around 3,000 Chinese seafarers and aims to further strengthen its links with China's maritime community. Many of the company's seafarers have studied at Dalian Maritime University, providing a natural foundation for closer cooperation between the company and the university.

Preparing seafarers for a changing industry

The partnership comes as shipping undergoes major technological and regulatory changes.

Dual-fuel propulsion, alternative fuels, digital systems and evolving regulations are changing the skills required of seafarers. Capt. Soma Nair said the industry needs more than classroom knowledge, with officers increasingly expected to exercise judgement, solve problems and lead teams in complex operating environments.

“The challenge facing shipping today is not simply access to training. It is access to high-quality training that keeps pace with the industry itself,” he said.

Nair highlighted DMU's international reputation in maritime education and its ability to combine academic learning with realistic practical training. The university's simulation facilities provide students with exposure to realistic operating environments, helping prepare them for responsibilities at sea.

DMU has also made significant investments in practical maritime education. According to university President Zeng Qingcheng, the university has invested RMB 690 million in two teaching and training vessels, Yukun and Yupeng, as well as Xin Hongzhuan, a smart research and training vessel integrating remote control, autonomous navigation and teaching functions. These facilities form part of DMU's practical training platform covering both conventional and intelligent navigation.

Building a lifelong learning pathway

A key objective of the partnership is to extend training beyond the classroom and into seafarers' professional careers.

Fleet Management said the collaboration will create opportunities for Chinese seafarers to continue learning after joining vessels, with training, upskilling and practical experience extending from the classroom to the bridge and engine room.

The university currently offers 54 undergraduate programmes, around 80% of which are maritime-related. Its graduates work across shipping, maritime services, ports, shipbuilding and logistics, while the university has also developed a comprehensive seafarer training system that has supported the development of a large number of maritime professionals.

From education to long-term careers

The cooperation also reflects Fleet Management's emphasis on long-term talent development.

More than 70% of Fleet Management's senior leadership team have seafaring backgrounds, while many of the company's Masters, Chief Engineers and shore-based leaders began their careers as cadets before progressing within the organisation.

Nair said Fleet Management hopes to become an employer of choice for talented and ambitious DMU graduates, while providing opportunities for continuous development, training and certification and supporting career development both at sea and ashore.

Zeng said the visit and agreement represent an important opportunity to deepen university-industry cooperation. Looking ahead, DMU expects the two sides to explore further collaboration in seafarer development, internships and practical training, faculty exchanges and smart ship technology research.

As shipping moves towards greater digitalisation, alternative fuels and increasingly sophisticated vessel operations, the ability to continuously develop maritime talent is becoming increasingly important. The Fleet Management-DMU partnership aims to strengthen that talent pipeline while creating clearer pathways from maritime education to long-term careers at sea and ashore.