Training & Development

OSG believes that training, education, career development and retention of its employees are essential to successful operations. The Company endeavors to provide comprehensive education and training programs so that its mariners can meet statutory and OSG-mandatory training requirements and have the opportunity to advance their careers.

OSG's state-of-the-art, full mission engine room simulator allows officers and crew to hone their watchkeeping skills and gain a better understanding of equipment prior to or in between voyages.

The bridge and engine room simulators in Manila are fully integrated so that bridge resource management teams can interact and respond to unusual circumstances in a training environment.

The BEST Training Center in Tampa, Florida provides training facilities to U.S. Flag officers and crew

The operational complexities of OSG's business and the distributed nature of its workforce, both at sea and ashore, demand a training program that is flexible and adaptable. The Company believes that seafarer training and professional education leads to increased competence.  Enhanced competencies, or effectiveness, in turn, can improve performance for both routine and complex tasks on board, increase productivity and reduce accidents, incidents and casualties. Across the international and U.S. fleet, seafarers receive on average 6-7 days of training per year. 

A Multi-faceted Approach
OSG provides training through a combination of in-house and third party instruction, simulator equipment and multi-media tools such as computer-based training and video courses. This approach enables OSG mariners to enhance their skills and to pursue a long-term career with the Company.

At OSG's training center in Manila, international officers and crew enhance their knowledge, skills and teamwork on integrated bridge and engine room simulator equipment that creates an interactive training environment.  A liquid cargo handling simulator was installed in 2010 to augment the training program. The equipment is certified by Det Norske Veritas as a Class A simulator. 

Orientation, induction and familiarization are critically important for mariners that are either new to the Company or new in rank.  Mariners must complete onboard familiarization and orientation courses and new senior personnel joining OSG are required to attend a briefing at a local managemet office and complete familiarization training on board. 

Crew conferences held each year are an effective tool for exchanging information in a larger group setting about Company policies and procedures and sharing best practices and areas for improvement. International and U.S. crew conferences bring seafarers together to discuss these and other relevant topics.

International Flag Cadet Program
Training and developing cadets to become competent junior and senior officers is essential to the future of shipping. OSG's cadet program involves a rigorous selection, education and on-board training program that develops successful graduates of maritime academies from cadet to senior officer over a time period of up to eight years.

For a closer look at OSG's training and development program, read pages 15-18 in OSG's 2010 Health, Safety and Environmental Report.