Optional site excursions were staged on the afternoon of July 25 after completion of the Closing Session.

Dr. K. Laubstein, Rector of WMU, all the first year students, and some 25 graduates visited Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. At the beginning, Mr. Satoshi Yabe, Ship Inspector General of Maritime Bureau gave an address of welcome. After that was explained the outline of policy services of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Japan Coast Guard.

　

Later, the participants were divided into the following 4 groups to have individual discussions and exchange of views with MLIT officials.

Twenty-seven Fellows observed the base, which was established as an institute to rescue victims and to carry out disaster prevention activities, when a disaster, such as a marine accident involving vessels that use harbors in Tokyo Bay. The base plays a major role in emergency disaster rescue by deploying patrol vessels and airplanes quickly and effectively as the command core, when an accident or a disaster happens. The participants observed a large-sized oil fence on the quakeproof quay floor, a rooftop workshop, a 6-meter round water tank for training in the sea, and a firing range.

Thirty-seven Fellows participated in a visit to the university, and observed the following facilities after watching a video introducing the university.

Located at Ariake wharf, the company in charge of Nippon Steel Corporation's distribution services carries out integrated wharf services including unloading, storage, track transportation. NRC is a distribution center for steel products, with a storage capacity of 40 thousands tons, operating vessels for domestic shipping of all of the steelmaker's products. Eighteen Fellows visited the company. They observed operations using the latest computer technology, such as an all-weather cargo handling facility, a storage shed, and different cranes for cargo work.

Dr. Ma Shon, Vice-President of WMU, and eight Fellows participated in a visit to NYK Line. A staff member introduced the outline of the company by using videos. There ensued a question and answer session, where the participants asked about the shipping company's contingency plans for shipwrecks and characteristic Japanese business customs like selection of company representatives, etc.

Ten Fellows paid a visit to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. After a video presentation of the company outline including their efforts for safe operations and environment protection, the company P.R. officer hosted a Q&A session. A staff member in charge of manning, education and training gave an explanation of management of seafarers, which was followed by a Q&A session alike. The meeting was held based on questions the participants presented in advance. The question and answer sessions were so active that it was prolonged an hour longer than scheduled.

　

As far as ocean-related issues are concerned, such as marine resources development, marine environment protection and maritime safety, to name just a few, it is of vital importance to discuss these issues in cooperation spirit and a cosmopolitan way of thinking, to work out measures for solution. The Fellows' Network is a quite strategic effort to address ocean-related issues through active exchange among its members who share values and information.

　

Since ocean-related issues are inherently international in nature, extensive maritime networks would be instrumental in realizing their solution. The Fellows' Network is expected to have the potential for growing into one of such networks. The Forum has marked the first step toward its formation.

　

The Forum participants came to unanimous consensus that the members of individual local networks or chapters will be engaged jointly in such activities as information exchange and the holding of conferences/seminars/meetings for promotion of mutual understanding and cooperation. To help the members carry out these activities, SOF will provide assistance to the local networks or chapters, if necessary.

　

　

　

1983	World Maritime University was established in Malmo.
1987	In compliance with a request from IMO, the Nippon Foundation donated to WMU a fund worth 1 million dollars to provide fellowships to students from Asian and African countries.
1988	The awarding of fellowships started and continued until 1992 inclusive.
1991	As the 1987 fund dwindled, IMO and the Japanese Ministry of Transport called on the Nippon Foundation to continue support for applicants. In response, the Nippon Foundation decided that the WMU Sasakawa Fellowship Fund worth 4 million dollars (520 million yen) would be instituted in WMU, while the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) would be entrusted with the fund administration and the implementation of the fellowship program.
1993	SPF started the awarding of fellowships by using the fund.
1997	On the occasion of the establishment of Global Foundation for Research and Scholarship, the program administration was transferred from SPF to the Global Foundation for Research and Scholarship.
1998	The awarding of fellowships started in the name of the Global Foundation for Research and Scholarship.
1999	The Global Foundation for Research and Scholarship changed its name to the Tokyo Foundation.
2001	On April 1, the program administration was transferred to the Ship & Ocean Foundation from the Tokyo Foundation.