Shell to Collaborate with Shanghai Maritime University

Financial sponsorship and technical training to equip marine professionals of the future Shell Marine Products has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Shanghai Maritime University (SMU) in a five-year sponsorship agreement to support the University’s new Marine Engine Room Integrated Lab.

The sponsorship is valued at US$200,000 (RMB1.3 million) and will see the donation of 80 metric tonnes (MT) of lubricants to the University’s Marine Engineering Department’s new Marine Engine Room Integrated Lab over a five-year period. Approximately 50 MT is scheduled to be donated in the first year, followed by 30 MT over the remaining four years. In addition, Shell Marine Products will work with the Marine Engineering Department to provide technical training for its students through an annual seminar on lubricants.

The Marine Engine Room Integrated Lab will be set up in the University’s new campus in Lingang New City, and is expected to be completed by December 2010. Designed to look like a real engine room of a ship, the Lab will boast all new equipment and be primarily used by students studying for a Marine Engineering degree.

Isabella Loh, Vice President, Shell Marine Products, said: “We strongly support the development of marine professionals in China who we believe will increasingly take their place as leaders of the global marine industry in the future. Shanghai Maritime University is the alma mater of many of the top marine professionals in China, and we are honored to join the University in this collaborative initiative to support its ongoing efforts to produce marine professionals of the highest caliber.”

Koh Chaik-Ming, General Manager, Asia Pacific & Middle East, Shell Marine Products, said: “Shell Marine Products has been serving international and local marine customers in China for over 20 years and today has delivery operations covering more than 40 ports nationwide. We are delighted to contribute to the marine industry here by sharing our lubricants and technical knowledge with the students of Shanghai Maritime University.”

Jin Yong-Xing, Professor and Vice President, Shanghai Maritime University, said: “Shanghai Maritime University has produced marine specialists of all levels for the country’s shipping industry for many years, and has been recognized as a ‘cradle of international shipping specialists’. We have had a long and fruitful relationship with Shell Marine Products and look forward to working closely with them to make this partnership an ongoing success.”

Shi Chao-Jian, Professor and Dean, Merchant Marine College, Shanghai Maritime University, said: “This generous donation by Shell to our Marine Engine Lab plays an important part in enabling us to provide realistic hands-on training to our Marine Engineering students.”