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The Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB) announced that the seafarer training institutions of National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) and National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST) have officially received a five-year certification from Belgium’s Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport in October 2024. This certification marks a significant milestone in the internationalization of Taiwan’s seafarer training programs and creates opportunities for Taiwanese seafarers to work on EU-flagged vessels. This achievement reflects the MPB’s three years of active efforts to foster international collaboration and expand diverse employment opportunities for Taiwanese seafarers.

The MPB emphasized that Taiwan’s geographical location as an island nation underscores the importance of aligning with international standards. Since 2021, the MPB has endeavored to secure recognition of qualifications for Taiwanese seafarers serving on foreign offshore wind  vessels. Collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium, and the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan, the MPB engaged in extensive discussions with the Shipping Directorate of Belgium’s Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport. After numerous exchanges of correspondence and video conferences, Belgium agreed to adopt a recognition model similar to that for Hong Kong and Singapore. Belgian authorities conducted two on-site inspections of NTOU and NKUST, in June 2023 and January 2024, respectively, culminating in this formal recognition.

After multiple rounds of communication and sustained efforts by the MPB, Belgian authorities, and Taiwan’s seafarer training institutions, Belgium issued long-term certification in October. This recognition not only enhances the international reputation of the two universities but also opens broader career opportunities for their graduates.

Director General Hsieh-Lung Yeh of the MPB stated that this certification is a testament to the quality of Taiwan’s seafarer training programs and a significant outcome of long-term international collaboration efforts. The MPB remains committed to strengthening seafarer training and aligning with international standards, aiming to position Taiwan as a key hub for global maritime talent. 

Contact Person: I-Chiao Huang, Seafarers Administration Division

Contact Number: 02-89788036