Manila, Philippines (September 17, 2010) – COMPASS, a leading and valued partner of the maritime industry, is the first training centre in the Philippines to PASS the strict CERTIFICATION PROCESS of Det Norske Veritas (DNV) for the INTERTANKO – TANKER OFFICER’S TRAINING STANDARD (TOTS). This achievement underscores COMPASS key role in the Maritime Industry and strengthens its commitment to be a globally recognized training institution in the region.

This significant milestone is marked by todays PRESS CONFERENCE here at Manila Yacht Club. ‘’Passing DNV TOTS accreditation is a great milestone for COMPASS” said Dakila Villanueva, the President. ‘’This accomplishment is the result of our commitment and concerted efforts and shall motivate us to continue.”

Less than six months after COMPASS successfully passed two consecutive audits from two different bodies, COMPASS scores it again for the third time. From July 13-15, 2010, in what was a significant step forward to the attainment of company’s vision of becoming a globally-recognized and a leading valued partner of the maritime industry, COMPASS was successfully audited and awarded a DNV-Certified TOTS (Tanker Officers Training Standards by INTERTANKO, 2008) Training Center status. The audit was spearheaded by Capt. Sanjeev Soni of DNV-Singapore (Det Norske Veritas) and this accreditation makes COMPASS the first certified TOTS training centre in not only Philippines but the entire South East Asia..

DNV is a global provider of risk management services, helping customers to safely and responsibly improve their business performance. DNV is the world’s only classification society to offer a full suite services supporting ship owners and managers in competency benchmarking.

Prior to the successful audit for the INTERTANKO – TOTS certification, COMPASS was awarded an ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems in February 2010 by DNV. In March 2010, after a successful audit of its training facilities and training modules, the Maritime Training Council of the Philippines also qualified COMPASS as a maritime training center offering the mandatory STCW 78 courses. Now, COMPASS is a fully DNV-certified INTERTANKO-TOTS Training Center, an added achievement to its young corporate existence yet industry leading initiative.

Addressing the need for training centers to get themselves approved to INTERTANKO’s TOTS accreditation, Capt. Sanjeev Soni of DNV SeaSkill Asia, says, “Indeed this is the need of the hour. A TOTS approval by a validating authority not only bolsters the capability of the training centre but also ensures high-quality of training to the maritime industry.”

Compass press conference

He goes on to say that, “Globally, DNV SeaSkill is striving towards increasing awareness about the advantages of TOTS certification. On receiving this certification, COMPASS has set a benchmark within the Phillipines and we expect many more training centers to follow league.”

True to its mission, COMPASS recognizes that maritime training programs are a significant investment both for the seafarer and his organization. That’s why COMPASS has invested in state of the art technologies and training facilities such as the DNV approved Class – A Integrated Full Bridge System simulator, an Engine Room Simulator and a fully functional Liquid Cargo Handling Operations for Tankers facilities, all supplied by ARI, a leading India-based manufacturer of simulators and computer-based training equipment.

After an extensive DNV verification process of compliance toward the INTERTANKO-TOTS standard, very soon enough, COMPASS shall receive its certification from DNV-Singapore to run TOTS simulator courses. This enables COMPASS to provide an unparalleled training service for tanker operators by providing the standard and minimum requirements for tanker training courses for their crews through the STCW courses. While simultaneously, COMPASS raises the bar as it goes far and beyond satisfying minimum requirements by focusing on competence as a strategic tool by offering a DNV-Certified INTERTANKO-TOTS to its training portfolio.

“COMPASS is a significant customer for us,” says Captain Sanjeev Soni, adding, “With the distinction of being the first TOTS certified approval training centre in Philippines, COMPASS takes the first step towards assuring its students of training par excellence and we are happy to be associated with a company which believes in continually meeting quality levels in whatever they do.”

INTERTANKO TANKER OFFICER TRAINING STANDARDS (TOTS)

TOTS (Tanker Officer Training Standards) offers training and verification of core competency, providing the industry with a standard that ensures tanker officer competence through onboard and shore training, evaluating knowledge gained as a result of time in rank and time with company. Simulator training is a crucial part of this training, enabling officers to train more effectively during their time ashore.

COMPASS is approved to operate the following TOTS Training Courses:

• Module 4A, Chemical Tanker Simulator Training
• Module 4B, Chemical Tanker Simulator Verification
• Module 4C, Product Tanker Simulator Training
• Module 4D, Product Tanker Simulator Verification
• Module 4E, Crude Oil Tanker Simulator Training
• Module 4F, Crude Oil Tanker Simulator Verification