HHIC opens world's largest shipbuilding training centre

Manila: Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction inaugurated what they claim is the world's largest shipbuilding training centre this week, the Business Times reports. The $5m skills development centre at the Subic Bay Industrial Park in the Philippines will cover 40,600 square metres and initially accommodate 500 workers and will be able to train up to 1,200 trainees per batch upon completion of the centre in June.

The project is expected to supply workers for Hanjin's local shipyard, which is near completion of its first phase and requires skilled manpower to meet an order for four 4,300teu containerships for CMA CGM by 2009. The shipyard, which will also be capable of constructing liquefied natural gas carriers and very large crude-oil carriers is expected to hire up to 30,000 skilled workers over the next five years. [12/02/07]