The soft opening for the RM25 million academy, the first of its kind in East Malaysia and the second in the country after the Malaysia Maritime Academy (ALAM) in Melaka, was performed by the State Minister for Environment and Public Health, Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, today.
He said the academy, on a 2.8ha site, is equipped with all the facilities as required by the International Maritime Organisation.
“This include the RM1.65 million Poseidon Borealis Full Ship’s Bridge Simulator. A norwegian expert will install the hardware this month,” he said.
Wong said the academy, part of the United College Sarawak’s School of Maritime Studies, would be under the directorship of Capt Goh Chin Guan, an experienced seaman with the Shin Yang Group of Companies in Miri. Currently, 10 students have enrolled in the academy which can take in 400 trainees, he said, adding that there were hostel facilities for about 150 students.
Wong said the academy would launch a student recruitment campaign soon for a two-year diploma programme in marine engineering and nautical studies.
He said the programme graduates would receive the Malaysian Marine Department’s certificate of competency, a basic requirement for trainees who wished to serve on board ships as a marine engineer or a navigating officer.
“There is an acute shortage of qualified seafarers in Sarawak where not less than 80 percent of them are foreigners from the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar and India.
“I’m confident the academy will go a long way in contributing to adequate maritime human resource development in the state and country,” he said.
He urged the local shipping fraternity to send their personnel to study at the academy to qualify for the internationally-recognised diplomas and certificates.
Wong also thanked the state government for giving an initial grant of RM5 million and the Shin Yang Group for its significant contribution for the academy’s construction.
Earlier, in his speech, Capt Goh said seafaring offered a challenging, satisfying and a well-paid career to young men and women who could assume responsibility at an early age and wanted more from a career than the usual eight-to-five routine.
He said a qualified cadet officer can expect a basic salary of between US$5,000 to US$10,000 while a captain can draw between US$12,000 to US$15,000 a month.
The cost for the two courses is about RM39,000 excluding modular courses and living expenses, he said. Sponsorships are available for deserving students, he added.
Norwegian Navy signs up for Kongsberg Maritime’s extended simulator support
The Norwegian Navy has signed a new Long Term System Support Program (LTSSP) agreement with Kongsberg Maritime, which represents the most sophisticated simulation support package that the leading maritime simulation developer has ever provided to a naval customer.
The agreement consolidates the Norwegian Navy’s numerous simulation systems in order to reduce contractual overhead, providing a more streamlined and cost-efficient cooperation. It covers full upgrades of software, hardware and spare parts continuously throughout the contract period, ensuring that the Navy will always benefit from having the latest and most advanced simulation technology, as and when it is released by Kongsberg Maritime.
Kongsberg Maritime’s LTSSP offers four different levels of support, each of which can be customised to the customer’s exact requirements. Operational benefits include fixed and predictable costs, software and hardware updates and direct connection to system experts and the Kongsberg Maritime Helpdesk. All LTSSPs are precisely matched to the needs of the customer and Kongsberg Maritime’s simulator development, enabling equipment performance to improve over time and ensuring continuity of simulator availability.
The Norwegian Navy LTSSP contract is a result of a long standing business relationship, which has included extensive simulator deliveries and cooperation between Kongsberg Maritime Simulation & Training’s sales and customer support division and the Royal Norwegian Navy.
IMO to back mandatory ECDIS
The years of debate about the mandatory carriage of ECDIS (electronic chart display information systems) seem to be close to a conclusion, with reports from IMO’s NAV54 subcommittee meetings suggesting that members have reached a consensus in favour of making the technology a required fit for ocean going vessels.
While confirmation of this decision has not been given by IMO at this time, it appears that the decision has been reached, and the further necessary steps to add this requirement to IMO’s Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) convention are now being mapped out.
2012 has been mentioned as a possible implementation date, but this is still subject to confirmation and would most like vary to a significant degree for different classes of vessels.
Any decisions taken at NAV54 would also have to be further ratified by IMO’s MSC (Maritime Safety Committee) at its 85th session later this year, but it seems likely that approval would be granted and that mandatory ECDIS would become a reality on future vessel bridges.
Such a step has been a while coming for some members of the NAV subcommittee. Last year’s NAV53 also considered the topic of mandatory ECDIS, and featured an in-depth study by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) outlining some of the safety benefits that could result from using the technology.
The recommendation from that study, that a carriage requirement be introduced, was supported by Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, and supplemented by a further proposal by Japan calling for the mandatory carriage of ECDIS on certain vessel classes.
These proposals were rejected however, and the consideration of mandatory ECDIS postponed until this year’s NAV54. It would seem that the arguments of these delegates have now proven convincing enough for the subcommittee to accept such a move this time around, and that ECDIS will become a standard feature in future vessels.
Australian Maritime College signs up for Kongsberg Maritime Bridge simulators
Kongsberg Maritime announced today (26th June 2008) the signing of an extensive contract for the Integrated Marine Simulator Upgrade Project with the Australian Maritime College (AMC). The scope of supply includes delivery of a 270° Main Bridge, 6 Ship Operating Console (SOC), 160° Bridges with re-configurable cockpit consoles, a 180° Tug Bridge, a portable simulator and significant capacity in web enabled simulations.
Research and Development stations to further the capacity and capability of AMC to deliver training and research projects to the Australian and regional maritime market are also included. The system is based on the highly successful Kongsberg Maritime Polaris bridge simulator architecture delivered worldwide to the leading maritime institutions. The phased delivery and installation will take place over the next 12 months.
“Kongsberg Maritime is proud to be awarded such a high-profile bridge simulator contract for the prestigious AMC Project and we welcome the opportunity to share our vast simulation experience and knowledge with the college,” states Henry Tremblay, Kongsberg Maritime Area Sales Manager. “We are highly motivated and excited to be a part of the continuing AMC presence in the maritime training and research environment and we look forward to working together and further developing our relationship.”
Kongsberg Maritime will utilise its strong links with AAL Australia Pty Ltd to support AMC locally through project management, installation and long term maintenance of the simulators.
“The selection of Kongsberg Maritime to meet AMC’s simulation requirements comes as a result of a careful evaluation of international suppliers. The system being delivered will ensure that AMC remains at the forefront of maritime training and research in the Australian region,” states Professor Malek Pourzanjani, Principal of the Australian Maritime College.
Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue chooses Kongsberg high speed vessel simulator
The Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue (NSSR) signed a contract with Kongsberg Maritime 9th June for the delivery of a high speed vessel simulator, to be installed at its new sea rescue school in Stavern, Norway.
The simulator will be equipped with a cockpit bridge that replicates the vessels that the NSSR already has at its disposal. Two new hydrodynamic models will be produced for the project that will enable the simulators to realistically mimic the NSSR’s newest rescue boats. The simulator contract also includes a 5-year agreement for service and support.
As a humanitarian organization, the NSSR is committed to saving lives and recovering property at sea, by maintaining rescue services along the Norwegian coast and neighbouring sea areas. The NSSR also runs an information service and educational program designed to improve safety for boaters.
Search and rescue operations
The newly ordered simulator will be employed for training NSSR’s own crew and to build increased awareness about search and rescue operations. Simulator training will contribute towards increased safety by allowing training on accidents and other scenarios that can be too dangerous or too difficult to practice in real life. Additionally, NSSR sees an increasing need for planning and the ability to offer simulator training for drivers of large, high-speed leisure boats.
“Our rescue boats have a speed of 30 to 40 knots so the need for simulator training is increasing. The fact that we can also practice situations where helicopters and other vessels are involved, makes this a really good investment,” says the secretary-general of NSSR, Øystein Stene who considers it particularly positive that Kongsberg Maritime continues to cooperate with the NSSR six years after the ‘Simrad Færder’ and ‘Simrad Buholmen’ rescue boats were donated to NSSR by KONGSBERG.
A great asset
Kongsberg Maritime is very happy to have been chosen as supplier of the simulator. “We cover a large international market. But this delivery is very important. We know that the NSSR has unique competence within its field and such professional clients are valuable to us. A training centre in our local community focusing on maritime safety and knowledge is something we consider a great asset,” comments Area Sales Manager, Svein Holmøy.
Kongsberg Maritime has delivered simulators since 1972 and today holds a 75% global market share within the Marine and Coast Guard market. The company’s training department also arranges training on Kongsberg Maritime equipment. The new NSSR simulator offers functionality that enables the instructor to control time, location, weather conditions, wind, current and other vessels’ movements. It is also possible to enter faults in machinery or equipment, in addition to a range of other functions that allow simulator training in realistic situations.
Maritime Offshore simulation takes centre stage at ONS 2008
Kongsberg Maritime will use the forthcoming ONS 2008 exhibition as a launch platform for expanding its activities in the world of offshore simulation. The company will unveil a focused strategy towards Maritime Offshore Simulation, which is dedicated to exploring, developing and fulfilling the simulation needs of the offshore industry.
As an innovator in the world of maritime simulation, Kongsberg Maritime is a major player in offshore simulation, delivering sophisticated training solutions for Dynamic Positioning, Anchor Handling, Liquid Cargo Handling, Tugging, Crisis Management and more recently Cranes, through the acquisition of world leading crane simulator developer GlobalSim.
The Maritime Offshore Simulation portfolio will offer a coherent simulation package to the company’s existing and potential offshore simulation customers. It will also further improve collaboration with Kongsberg Maritime customers, ensuring that simulator development moves in the direction required by the offshore industry, whilst providing further value by utilising core technology and knowledge across different simulator applications.
“We place real value on collaborating with our customers. The implementation of our Maritime Offshore Simulation strategy will enable us to concentrate solely on the often specialised training requirements of the offshore industry,” said Soren Einar Veierland, Business Manager, Maritime Offshore, Simulation, Kongsberg Maritime. “Feedback so far has been very positive and we’re looking forward to launching the new focused strategy at ONS 2008, the major global offshore exhibition.”
Indonesia: Transas maritime simulators installed in two marine schools
Transas simulators have been installed in two Indonesian maritime education institutes; Merchant Marine School BP2IP Surabaya, and Rating School, Sorong, Papua. Both institutions are part of the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation’s Education Training Agency.
The configuration of the simulator in BP2IP Surabaya is a Full Mission Ship Handling Simulator with visualisation incorporating seven circular channels, integrated with GMDSS and 15 Trainee workstations. In the Rating School Sorong, a Full Mission Ship Handling Simulator with five circular channel visualisation is integrated with an Engine Room Simulator. Each are turnkey project solutions, said Aloys Sutarto, the Managing Director of PT MultiIntegra (Transas Group distributor in Indonesia), thus including in the contract the design, supply, installation, commissioning and training.
These projects maximise local knowledge, particularly regarding installation, civil work and the development of new Indonesian exercise areas. “The combined ability of Transas and PT MultiIntegra to add local value is a main reason why we were awarded the contracts”, said Mr. Sutarto.
Mr. Dedi Darmawan, Head of the Education Training Agency, commented: “This is not the first time that the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation’s Education Training Agency (ETA) has installed a navigation simulator in their institution to fulfil STCW’95. Various simulator products have been installed for some years, and although we have always been aware of the great reputation of Transas this is the first installation from the company.
By harnessing the Transas technology and services, we have experienced a good transfer of knowledge during installation and training. The most modern simulation technology ever installed in ETA has achieved more than we ever expected”.
PC Maritime Launches ‘Speaking’ Engine Room Simulator
(mgn.com)
PC Maritime has introduced v4.5 of the PC-based full mission simulator Virtual Engine Room (VER). It is the first ‘speaking’ engine room simulator in the world.
Virtual Engine Room has been substantially enhanced with the addition of synthesised speech. Checklist instructions and communications with the bridge are all spoken and fully integrated into the scenarios provided by the simulator. ‘Ask Chief’ – a unique artificial intelligence expert system, tells the user what should be done as a next step in engine room preparation or equipment malfunction.
VER 4.5 which is type approved and compliant with the STCW and ISM Codes, is used for ships’ engine room training. Based on a slow speed diesel engine, it is equipped with all controls and alarms found in a real engine room. Faults can be injected into the simulator, and student competence is measured accurately with built-in standardised assessment tests.
VER 4.5 is available in three different formats to suit training budgets. It can be supplied as software only, to run on a single PC with twin-screen support or on a network. For greater realism it can be supplied as part of a desktop console or now as a full-size engine room console.
One of a series of eight engine room training products from PC Maritime, VER is used by maritime training establishments worldwide, including recent installations in Japan, Brazil, Australia and India.
Upgrades from v4 to v4.5 are available free of charge to existing customers. Versions earlier than v4 can be upgraded at favourable rates.
The full specification of Virtual Engine Room 4.5 can be viewed at the PC Maritime website www.pcmaritime.co.uk/comm or by emailing commercial.sales@pcmaritime.co.uk.
MOL to Present Marine Simulator to International Maritime College Oman
LONDON, 30 April 2008 ““ Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Akimitsu Ashida) today announced plans to donate an advanced marine simulators 1 to Oman Government for the International Maritime College Oman 2. On April 24, the company invited Minister of National Economy and Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council in Oman, Ahmed Macki to a presentation ceremony at the Tokyo Head Office.
Oman has set a national policy to encourage development of the ocean shipping industry, and established the International Maritime College Oman in 2005 to provide seafarer training. The university accepts foreign students from neighboring countries as well as Omani students.
MOL believes this presentation will promote education and training for seafarers in Oman and from neighboring Arabic nations, and, by extension, contribute to the development of sustainable worldwide ocean shipping.
- The marine simulators consist of four systems ““ ship handling, engine control, liquefied cargo handling, and container handling crane.
- International Maritime College Oman was established jointly in April 2005 by Oman Government and the STC-Group in the Netherlands, a non-profit organization that operates maritime training facilities around the world to provide seafarer training. Current enrollment is about 400.
Dubai Maritime City Campus: the world’s first-of-its-kind maritime educational complex
Dubai Maritime City (DMC), the world’s first purpose-built maritime centre and a member of the Dubai World Group of companies, announced the establishment of Dubai Maritime City Campus (DMCC), the world’s first-of-its-kind maritime educational campus that is being developed to strengthen the City’s reputation as a global powerhouse in the maritime sector.
DMC has also appointed Singaporean Captain Jaafar Sidin as the Director of DMCC.
Set for completion in 2010, DMCC will accommodate over 1,300 students and will offer both short-term courses as well as degrees in various fields of maritime science through several world-renowned universities and maritime institutes. The complex will include state-of-the-art educational facilities that will be created for the universities and institutes that join the Campus. Also integrated into the facility are a two-story library, 500-room accommodation complex, convention centre for seminars and conferences, swimming pools and mechanical equipment for training purposes, as well as various simulators such as bridge simulator, anchor handling simulator and dynamic position simulator.
‘Dubai Maritime City has been established not just to cater to the requirements of the maritime sector, but also to add even more value to the whole maritime community by offering a full range of support infrastructure and amenities that enable easy integration and interaction among maritime businesses and services,’ stated Captain Jaafar.
‘As such, Dubai Maritime City Campus has been incorporated into the maritime centre’s master plan specifically to support the maritime centre’s manpower, educational, training and research requirements, which are vital elements to its long-term sustainability. Through this Campus, we are opening a huge window of opportunity to expand the region’s pool of specialists and professionals in various areas related to the maritime sector,’ added Captain Jaafar.
With a lengthy career in the academic world of maritime, Captain Jaafar brings tremendous experience and expertise to this role. As a Chief Officer and a Master of merchant ships during his sailing days, he also has practitioner experience in the shipping business and marine commercial practices in bills of ladings, charter parties, marine insurance, cargo operations, navigational safety and ship and cargo surveys. Prior to joining DMC, he held the position of Deputy Director at the Singapore Maritime Academy from 1995 to 2003 and as Section Head and Manager Business Development from 2003 to 2007.
On his part, Abdulla Al Hayyas, Operations Manager of DMCC, highlighted the strong interest DMCC is getting from international universities and institutions: ‘Dubai Maritime City is currently in talks with a number of international universities and institutions that specialise in maritime education on setting up within DMCC to help establish the Campus as a global academic hub for education, training and research in the maritime sector.’
Meanwhile, DMCC’s identity was also unveiled by Dubai Maritime City. The new look builds on Dubai Maritime City’s seven waves highlighting the Campus’ uniqueness and appeal within the global maritime industry. The DMCC logo reflects the world’s seven seas, seven continents and the seven districts of Dubai Maritime City.
Dubai Maritime City is currently undergoing the third and final phase of construction, which primarily involves infrastructure development. Aside from the DMCC, the other distinct districts of Dubai Maritime City are the Harbour Offices, Harbour Residences, Maritime Centre, Marina District and the Industrial Quarter managed by Dubai Drydocks.