site.btaVarna Technical University Broadens Cooperation With Japanese Shipping Company K Line

Varna Technical University Rector Prof Dragomir Plamenov on Wednesday welcomed representatives of the Japanese shipping company K Line (Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha) to discuss broader partnership and the possibilities for future officers and marine engineers from the university to be included in internship programmes in Japan, said the university.

The guests from Japan were accompanied by Andriyan Evtimov, Managing Director of Stargate Maritime, which is part of K Line. The delegation from Japan consisted of Hiroshige Tanioka, Executive Director of K Line RoRo Bulk Ship Management, Kosuke Matsui, Director of Stargate Shipmanagement, and Yuta Matsuzaki, from the Crew Recruitment Team of K Line RoRo Bulk Ship Management.

The delegation was shown five maritime specialties of the Varna Technical University, as well as the courses of the Bulgarian Maritime Training Centrе. Rector Plamenov emphasised that the training at the university is carried out in accordance with the regulations of the International Maritime Organization, certified with an assessment that corresponds to the Japanese Marine Standards, which allows students from the university to be employed on Japanese ships without the need for additional courses.

Vice-Rector Pavlina Naskova added that students are trained in modern laboratories, in a ship's navigation and ship's engine training complex. "The base is about to be renovated and we are looking for options to buy a new engine and a new navigation simulator in 2027, which we aim to be the best in the Balkan Peninsula", said Naskova. 

The members of the delegation expressed their admiration for the innovations and scientific achievements of the university, while demonstrating their readiness and desire to support the development of students in the field of marine engineering and shipping through cooperation, the university stated.