American cadets to sail on Hapag-Lloyd ships

jamzmom

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U.S. Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton and John M. Murray, president and chief executive officer of Hapag-Lloyd USA, LLC, recently signed an agreement for cadets from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and state maritime academies to take their training voyages on Hapag-Lloyd vessels.

Maritime cadets must have sailing time on working vessels in order to qualify as licensed mariners. Currently, there is a worldwide shortage of licensed mariners, and U.S. maritime academies have geared up to train more students. Students will begin to serve on the foreign-flag vessels in October.

"Cadets will receive excellent training from skilled maritime professionals on a variety of seagoing vessels," said Administrator Connaughton, adding that Hapag-Lloyd should be commended for its commitment to the American students.

Hapag-Lloyd is the world's fifth largest container shipping company. Its vessels sail all the major sea lanes of the world providing global shipping services.

The Memorandum of Agreement is the fifth such signed between the federal government and private industry.

http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/NEWSMMVII/2008aug00122.html
 
I really don't understand the thinking behind this program. I understood it for the LNG ships, but this I just don't get. There is no shortage of American ships for American cadets to sail on. I see no advantage gained by having them sail on foreign flagged ships. I'm not sure where the Administrator is going with this at all. I wish I had some insight into his thinking here.
 
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