Kongsberg Maritime is proud to announce that its Polaris Dynamic Positioning simulator is the first to achieve DNV approval to the stringent Class A standard. The leading simulator developer has also achieved DNV approval to Class A standards for its Bridge Operation simulator including class notification of DP, Ice Navigation, High Speed Craft and Tug simulation.
The new DNV certification for the Kongsberg Maritime Polaris Dynamic Positioning simulator and Polaris Ships Bridge simulator is according to new standards laid out in DNV Class A – Standard for Certification of Maritime Simulators No. 2.14 October 2007, which is based on the requirements of STCW Convention, Regulation I/12. The purpose of the DNV Class A approval is to ensure that the simulations provided by the simulators include an appropriate level of physical and behavioural realism in accordance with recognised training and assessment objectives.
“The Class A standard was developed as the pinnacle in simulation realism and quality,” explains Capt. Aksel D. Nordholm, Manager – Simulator Certification, DNV SeaSkillT. “Kongsberg Maritime is a key participant in the scheme as the company recognises the importance of providing its customers and indeed the shipping and offshore industry with the best possible training tools. The new Class A approvals reflect the high levels of simulator realism and pedagogical value in the Polaris DP and the Polaris Ship’s Bridge Simulator.”
The latest approvals, which were awarded on 8th October 2009, come in addition to existing DNV Class A approvals for the Polaris Ship Simulator and the large portfolio of cutting edge Kongsberg Maritime engine room simulators, which became the first to achieve DNV approval to Class A standard, in January 2008.
“The Polaris Dynamic Positioning Simulator plays an important role in the recognised and certified DP training programs used by training institutes and offshore companies around the world. Whilst our Polaris Ship’s Bridge Simulator, now with DNV classification for ice navigation, is used by many to train on navigation in extreme conditions such as the Artic waters,” comments Terje Heierstad, Product and Technology Manager, Simulation, Kongsberg Maritime. “For that reason we are constantly improving our simulators to harness the latest technology, in order to add training opportunities and value by providing the most realistic simulation possible.”
Malaysian simulation contract for Kongsberg Maritime
Kuala Lumpur: Kongsberg Maritime has been awarded a contract by HJS Maritime SDN. BHD, Malaysia to deliver two Polaris Ship’s Bridge Simulators for use in a new centre of excellence being built for the Malaysian Marine Department. This contract follows the recent installation of the world’s largest 360° marine navigation simulator at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP), Philippines.
The scope of supply comprises two full mission Polaris simulators, with integrated GMDSS and a tailor-made training package with different simulation exercises, designed by a team comprising Willem Barentsz Maritiem Instituut (Netherlands), Lantec Marine Inc. (Canada) and Pelorus Intelligence & Technology Academy (Malaysia). Additionally, Kongsberg will also support the building of a brand new building for the Malaysian Marine Department, which is specially designed to house the Polaris simulators and other rooms dedicated to improving the marine training capabilities in Malaysia.
The pre-delivery training of six of the Malaysian Marine Department’s instructors will be conducted at the Willem Barentsz Maritiem Instituut before the final installation of the simulators in June 2010.
“Our Asian simulator activity continues to expand and we see even more potential in this important market. With a simulator range from simple, user-friendly desktop simulators to advanced full mission simulators, we are able to provide internationally proven solutions that are adaptable for every customer’s needs,” adds Erik Hovland, deputy sales and marketing manager, Kongsberg Maritime, Simulation and Training Department. [21/08/09]
Groundbreaking Maritime Simulator Ship Simulator Professional Introduced at MARSIM’09
ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands and PANAMA CITY, Florida, August 18 /PRNewswire/ — Simulation developer VSTEP announces the worldwide release of their award-winning maritime training and simulation software Ship Simulator Professional v2.0 and Instructor Station at the International Conference on Marine Simulation and Ship Manoeuvrability – MARSIM ’09, in Panama. Aimed at maritime professionals, Ship Simulator Professional uses interactive 3D technology from the computer gaming industry to offer a high quality, professional maritime training and simulation tool. With highly realistic 3D visuals and maximum flexibility, Ship Simulator Professional software can be used in a wide range of setups, ranging from single or classroom use on standard desktop PC’s to a completely integrated full mission bridge setup or a combination of all.
“The simulator marks a new milestone for flexible, low cost maritime training and simulation and caters for a wide range of training needs,” says Pjotr van Schothorst, CTO of VSTEP.
Simultaneously with the release of the Ship Simulator Professional, the Instructor Station is released. For maritime instructors who require full flexibility to create their own specialized training scenarios, this Instructor Station includes all the advanced features of Ship Simulator Professional, as well as specialized high-end creation tools to customize training scenarios for specific training needs.
Ship Simulator Professional v2.0 and the Instructor Station are now available for purchase on http://www.shipsimpro.com.
A free evaluation version, giving users 20 hours of full access to the simulator and instructor station, can be requested from http://www.shipsimpro.com.
VSTEP will demonstrate the features and flexibility Ship Simulator Professional and the Instructor Station have to offer until the 20th August at MARSIM ’09, Panama.
For a full description and feature list of Ship Simulator Professional and the Instructor Station please visit http://www.shipsimpro.com.
About VSTEP
VSTEP is a leading European developer of professional simulators and virtual training software. Since the founding in 2002, over 40 training applications for leading industry clients and governmental organizations have successfully been completed. A true pioneer in the creation of innovative simulation and virtual training, VSTEP has provided solutions for customers like the Port of Rotterdam, DSM, Falck/Nutec, Shell and many others. For more information visit http://www.vstep.nl
German firm grants ship handling equipment
SEMARANG: Rheimentall Defence Electronics (RDE) of Bremen, Germany granted a Ship Handling Simulator worth 10 million euro (about US$14 million) to the Semarang Growth Centre on Thursday.
The simulator consists of a Full Mission Bridge; a Part Task Bridge Simulator; a Full Mission Engine Simulator; a Part Task Engine Simulator; an Arpa Simulator Radar; a Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Simulator; GMDSS Real Equipment; a Safety and Security Trainer Simulator and a Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator.
The equipment, which has been manufactured in Bremen since 2006, was officially handed over by senior vice president of Process and Maritime Simulation at Rheimentall Defence Electronics, Bremen, Klaus-gunter Mehlhorn, to Semarang Growth Centre director Endang Kusumanti.
“We are a maritime country. The granting of this equipment will be very helpful to our maritime science and shipping students,” Endang said. – JP
Epirus Merchant Marine Academy installs Transas radar Bridge Simulator
Transas Hellas in collaboration with Transas Mediterranean SAS supplied AEN – Epirus Merchant Marine Academy in Greece with a radar Bridge Simulator.
The installed simulator will provide the necessary training with its capability to simulate various types of merchant ships. Among the other academies, the aforementioned simulator is the most modern and will contribute considerably in modern maritime training.
The bridge is designed with built in equipment flexibility to allow for reconfiguration between a variety of vessel types, including and the most modern vessels. Navigational equipment fitted on each bridge simulate real system interfaces, including modern ARPA/Radar, ECDIS, GMDSS communications, and the most modern of integrated navigation systems. Each element of the simulation suite can be operated independently or in integrated training scenarios involving up to four interactive navigational bridges. A comprehensive library of vessel models is available for use with area databases covering large areas of exercise, important global shipping ports and routes.
The Epirus Academy belongs to the ministry of merchant marine and is one out of eight in total academies in Greece whose purpose is to prepare the merchant marine officers accordingly by providing them constant and up to date training in maritime theory, as well as in the use of modern technologies thus paving the way for a successful career.
The studies in the academy include the attendance of theoretical courses and practical exercises in the respective workshops with the simulators’ assistance.
Transas integrates Navigational and ERS simulators for Maritime Training Centre
CERONAV, the biggest maritime training centre in the Black Sea region of Romania, has chosen the Transas Group to extend its maritime simulator capabilities for the fourth time.
The latest contract includes extensions of the existing navigational simulator (NTPro) and Engine Room Simulator (ERS) and integration to provide joint training functionality for different groups of sea specialists, namely bridge and engine room teams. Transas extended the existing ERS simulator with Tanker LCC ships software modules and equipped it with a new dedicated hardware solution called Alarm Light Column. Transas will also add two bridges to the complex, all equipped with the latest version of navigational simulator software and dedicated hardware ship controls. These medium sized bridges are capable of simulating the complete shipboard bridge operation situation, including advanced manoeuvring in restricted waterways. All installation works have already been completed on time by specialists from Transas Black Sea.
The recent installation consolidates a unique training solution for Romania. CERONAV boasts cutting edge simulation technologies and exceptional instructors, providing training services not only for Romanian sailors but also working with foreign partners. The improvements will help the Simulation Centre to strengthen its status and extend capacity.
Project lead Evgeny Drumachik comments on the contract, “Now CERONAV has the potential to conduct a unique course: ‘Bridge team and engine department personnel education and training’ (according to IMO and STCW’95 requirements and recommendations). We’re very proud to be able to offer integrated functionality, consisting of direct remote engine control from the bridge, Engine Control Room (ECR) control at the order from the bridge, and an extensive data exchange between simulators.”
Transas and CERONAV are keeping their partnership in an active phase, with future plans already underway for further development of the Centre’s training facilities.
Kongsberg Maritime Simulation & Training new office confirms first sale to AMET University
Kongsberg Maritime Simulation & Training has recently opened a sales office in Mumbai, India in cooperation with Kongsberg Process Simulation Ptv. Ltd. Within a few months of setting up its sales and service office in Mumbai, Kongsberg Maritime Simulation & Training has signed its first Ship Handling Simulator agreement, to supply a Full Mission Polaris Bridge Simulator and a Full Mission Engine Room Simulator to AMET University in Chennai India.
AMET University is one of the premier educational institutions for maritime education in India, and trains approx. 1500 cadets a year for a seafaring career. Typically, cadets enroll for a Bachelor Nautical Sciences or a Marine Engineering degree. AMET University also conducts advanced courses such as MBA in Shipping and Logistics.
The agreement was signed by Mr. Rajesh Ramachandran, Pro-Chancellor AMET University, and Kishore Sundaresan, Managing Director, Kongsberg Process Simulation, India. The agreement was signed at the AMET University Campus in Chennai. The sale to a prestigious institution like AMET has reinforced the presence of Kongsberg Maritime Simulation & Training in India. The company’s Mumbai office is geared to meet the challenges of the growing requirements of the Indian market.
India is a leading supplier of trained seafarers to the international shipping industry. Hence, there is a need for state-of-the-art training facilities. Kongsberg Maritime Simulation & Training’s presence in India promotes the establishment of such training facilities whilst at the same time providing high quality customer support.
Research council supports port expansion projects
The CSIR also analyses data on ship motion. Ship motion simulator software is run on computers to determine how a ship will be manoeuvred into the port. A pilot will steer the simulated ship into the harbour, which will provide statistical information that is then used to design the safe layout of a port.
For example, different conditions and scenarios are fed into the simulation and repeated simulations provide information on how wide the entrance channel should be. The simulations are also carried out with a few different harbour layouts to determine which is the safest and most economic design. The simulations also allow the ports to be tested for ships of the future, not only ships that currently use the ports.
The computer simulations are also used for the physical model results and after the port has been designed for safety and efficiency, the physical model can help determine the wave action that may enter the port for each port expansion design. Data is extracted from all the different models and simulations to increase the efficiency of the actual port expansion design, and determine limiting conditions for safe port operations.
MultiTouchEngine Room Simulator launched
Kongsberg Maritime has developed a new touch screen based Engine Room Simulator configuration, which has been designed to offer realism to students whilst providing colleges and training institutes with a new opportunity to broaden the range of courses to be offered without investing in expensive new hardware.
Called Neptune MultiTouch, the system, which is part of Kongsberg Maritime’s market leading Neptune ERS portfolio, is already in use at the Georgian College, Ontario and has also been chosen by the Ã…land University of Applied Science.
Neptune MultiTouch, which uses multiple touchscreens integrated with real-life engine room consoles and panels, enables a college to quickly and easily select between simulation models. The system allows instructors to change from a VLCC to a Cruise vessel, or a Ferry within seconds.
“MultiTouch is an innovative and flexible solution that offers several benefits because of its ability to run various simulation models on the same HW configuration,” says Harald Kluken, Product Advisor – Engine Room Simulators, Kongsberg Maritime. “It loads a new set of MultiTouch Mimic Diagrams as a different engine room simulation model is loaded, allowing for different courses to be offered on the same hardware solution. This provides immediate cost saving whilst at the same time enables training institutes to offer a wider set of courses, therefore attracting a greater number of students and customers.”
The MultiTouch technology already enables training on a number of well known engine and machinery systems, such as ME Remote Console, Power Management console and engine room stations with Neptune ERS MAN B&W 5L90MC VLCC, ERS Pielstick 10PC4 Ferry M22 and ERS Diesel Electric AC Cruise Vessel DE22.
Associated subsystems can be accessed from Engine Room MultiTouch Stations presenting for instance Start & Service Air Systems, HFO Purifiers, LO Purifier, DO Purifier and Bilge-Sludge Systems. Also Main Switchboard can be delivered with MultiTouch functionality.
The new MultiTouch system is based around Kongsberg Maritime’s well proven and tested Neptune architecture for engine room simulation, ensuring that all models are highly accurate, whilst offering true realism to help ensure students retain what they learn during simulator training.
The Georgian College MultiTouch installation is part of a large Neptune ERS delivery that was completed in October 2008. The delivery included a range of marine engine models installed in both full mission and desktop configurations. The low speed ERS MAN B&W 5L90MC VLCC and the medium speed ERS Pielstick 10PC4 Ferry were delivered in both full mission and desktop, with additional desktop models for the ERS Sulzer 12RTA84 Container and the ERS MaK 8M32C Trawler engine.
Rheinmetall transfers a second nautical simulator to the University of Applied Sciences in Bremen, Germany
15:01 GMT, November 14, 2008 – Oceans cover 71% of the earth’s surface. Today, around two-thirds of the world’s population live in coastal zones. Nearly 95% of global long-distance freight is shipped by sea. Each year, around 3.5 billion tons of cargo and some 350 million passengers pass through European ports alone. Globalization is nowhere so apparent as on the world’s seas and oceans.
The sea divides and the sea unites. In today’s globalized world, ocean-going commerce is the lifeblood of the advanced economies. This makes effective, futureoriented R&D and training in shipbuilding, maritime and nautical technology just as important as having efficient modern ports and shipyards.
As a leading supplier of simulator systems, Rheinmetall has set itself the goal of supporting the maritime society with solutions that will enable mankind to master the challenges of tomorrow. As a token of the company’s commitment, Rheinmetall transferred a second “ANS 5000 professional” nautical simulator to Bremen’s University of Applied Sciences on 14 November 2008.
The transfer marks a continuation of the close ties between Rheinmetall and the University, which enjoys a global reputation as a centre of excellence for shipbuilding, maritime and nautical technology. The University’s first “ANS 5000 professional” simulator was installed in 2004.
The “ANS 5000 professional” simulator faithfully recreates the maritime environment in astonishing detail, realistically simulating currents, tides, sea conditions, environmental and weather influences as well as different shoreline and seabed structures; the simulated vessels range in size from small tugs to the latest generation of Post-Panamax container ships, measuring over 400 metres in length.
This flexible system can both simulate and or stimulate a variety of different engine types, control devices, navigation and communication systems. Users can practise operating on the open sea, in coastal areas and canals, whether free of pilot or with articulated tugs, and under virtually any nautical condition imaginable.
State-of-the-art computer-generated imagery simulates the external view from the bridge. The horizontal field of view spans 270 degrees, and can be modified to encompass 360 degrees.
The system realistically simulates sensors and navigation instruments such as GPS/DGPS, Loran-C, Echo Sounder and Doppler Speed Log, which are linked to the monitor. Other highlights are the presence of real bridge components such as a NACOS system from SAM Electronics, whose radar, ECDIS electronic charts and Automatic Identification System (AIS) make it virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.
A further significant advantage of the second system is that it can be operated in tandem with the system the University already employs. In this configuration, each simulator operates its own ship in a joint scenario, with each ship influencing the other, enabling highly sophisticated operations to be performed.
Simulated manoeuvres are intensively observed and evaluated. The trainer is able to monitor and graphically depict all of the simulation data. It can introduce environmental factors, control other ships and cause malfunctions to occur in the trainee’s ship. Every manoeuvre is recorded and can be called up on a large-screen display for subsequent post-operation analysis and debriefing.
However the simulator does more than provide intensive, high-quality training for maritime professionals. It can also be used for instructing pilots, carrying out research projects and preparing expert reports ““ such as investigating the feasibility of planned port facilities before a single spade is turned.
With the Ship Handling Simulator “ANS 5000 professional” , Rheinmetall and the University of Applied Sciences in Bremen play a significant role in teaching the ropes to Germany’s next generation of merchant marines as well as helping to secure the future of German shipping industry in general.
Link: rheinmetall.com