President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday visited the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) to inspect newly installed training equipment and upgraded facilities aimed at improving the skills development of Filipino seafarers.

The NMP, established in 1978 under Presidential Decree No. 1369 and founded by former First Lady Imelda Marcos, offers maritime training and conducts research on industry issues.

It has been under the Department of Migrant Workers since 2021.

The President inspected several newly completed simulators that will be fully operational by January 2026: the Full Mission Bridge Simulator, the Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator, and the upgraded Engine Room Simulator software.

Officials briefed Marcos on how the simulators recreate real-world scenarios in navigation, cargo movement, engine room management, emergency response, and decision-making to help trainees meet global training standards.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the upgrades reflect the administration’s effort to modernize the maritime training system.

Castro said the President wants NMP facilities aligned with international requirements to help Filipino seafarers remain competitive in the global maritime workforce.

The Full Mission Bridge Simulator provides realistic training in navigation and ship handling, while the Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator allows users to operate pumps, valves, and pipeline systems.

The updated Engine Room Simulator replicates the ship’s propulsion systems, electrical generators, and auxiliary machinery.

The new equipment is expected to enhance training quality for thousands of Filipino seafarers who rely on NMP for specialized maritime competency programs.