Adopt A Ship expanding in-school maritime awareness program in The PhilippinesAdopt A Ship expanding in-school maritime awareness program in The Philippines

George J. Hoyt, FNI, Global Ambassador at Adopt A Ship International spoke to Seatrade Maritime news about the company’s successful initial programme in San Pedro, and its plans to expand Adopt A Ship to raise awareness of the maritime industry in The Philippines and teach children about the role of shipping and the prospects of a career in the industry.

Hoyt explains that some 14,000 children aged 10-12 have already been reached in San Pedro, and an expansion of the programme to junior and senior high schools in the area from January 2025 will add another 22,000 to the tally in San Pedro alone.

Adopt a ship runs programmes of around 10 weeks in India, the Philippines, and Asia, working maritime themes into the school curriculum to raise the profile of the shipping industry and educate children on an often hidden industry. Teachers and pupils are connected to a ship and its crew, tracking the ship's movement across the oceans and asking questions to the crew throughout the programme.

Watch the interview to learn how data is used to quantify the academic value of the learning programme, Adopt A Ship’s partnerships and community involvement, and its role in helping tackle industry challenges around training, hiring and retention, and community engagement. 

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