The International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ) and Miho Shipyard Co., Ltd. hosted the Naming and Launching Ceremonies of the new training ship M/V Kapitan Gregorio Oca on 08 and 09 August 2018, respectively, in Shizuoka, Japan.

Present during the naming and launching ceremonies were Capt. Koichi Akamine, Chairman of IMMAJ, Dr. Conrado F. Oca, President of Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), Mr. Yasumi Morita, President of All Japan Seamen’s Union (JSU), Capt. Teodoro B. Quijano, Vice President of Philippine-Japan Manning Consultative Council, Inc. (PJMCC), Mr. Yasunori Kohatake, Vice President of Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., and Mr. Kengo Suzuki, President of Miho Shipyard Co., Ltd.

During the Naming Ceremony, a Japanese traditional tossing of celebratory rice cakes was led by Dr. Oca, Capt. Akamine, Mr. Morita, Mr. Suzuki and Capt. Quijano. After the tossing of rice cakes, Dr. Oca officially named the ship after his father Capt. Gregorio S. Oca, the venerable founder of AMOSUP and Father of Filipino seafarers. Ms. Maria Socorro Oca, daughter of Capt. Oca, led the ceremonial cutting of the launching cord which tethered the ship. This was followed by a commemorative photography session for all guests who witnessed the naming of M/V Kapitan Gregorio Oca.

The momentous event was followed by a congratulatory dinner in Nippodaira Hotel, Shizuoka, Japan. During the dinner, remarks from shipowners were delivered by Capt. Akamine (IMMAJ) and Dr. Oca (AMOSUP) and from shipyards by Mr. Kohatake (Tsuneishi). Mr. Morita (JSU) and Capt. Quijano (PJMCC) gave their congratulatory remarks. Mr. Shunsuke Imada, Vice Chairman of IMMAJ, led the toast to celebrate the success of the event. Also, as part of the celebration, tokens from Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., and Miho Shipyard Co., Ltd., were presented to Ms. Oca to commemorate being the sponsor of the new training ship M/V Kapitan Gregorio Oca.

On the following day, the M/V Kapitan Gregorio Oca was successfully launched at the Miho Shipyard.

The M/V Kapitan Gregorio Oca is being built by Miho Shipyard Co., Ltd. It will have a service speed of 13.8 knots and a crew complement of 138 persons. It will be delivered on 25 December 2018 and will arrive in Manila in January 2019.