Furetank opens advanced ship simulator training centre

The rapid development in the shipping industry demands constant updates of on-board routines and seafarer skills. Greener shipping and the adoption of newer and smarter technologies pose a huge skilling challenge to shipping companies. In tanker shipping, the upcoming launch of an updated ship inspection report program, SIRE 2.0, will increase demand even further for company-specific courses and skills development.

When moving into new and larger offices, Furetank saw the opportunity to turn the old building into a training centre on the island of Donsö out side Gothenburg. A simulator complex equipped with the most sophisticated technology available will service all the shipping companies operating from the island, as well as other external parties.

The simulator complex has been designed by Wärtsilä, one of the world's leading maritime simulator manufacturers, and holds 14 students at a time. Physical simulation bridges are combined with virtual, augmented and mixed reality applications. Together they create highly realistic learning environments for navigation, manoeuvring, eco driving, docking, cargo handling, safety procedures as well as proper use of new ship technology like shore-power connection or LNG/PBG bunkering.

The equipment includes a full-size class A navigational bridge simulator using eleven portrait-mounted 75” displays, giving a 240 degrees horizontal field of view and good vertical height. In addition, there will be a virtual reality bridge / bridge wing and TUG simulator as well as an engine room simulator including a virtual machinery space.

A multi-player feature allows interaction between captain/pilot, bridge/engine room etc, for training communications skills required in real-life scenarios. An awardwinning cloud simulation solution allows connecting to other training centres and performing remote joint exercises.

“We can simulate 50 ship models ranging from pilot boats and cruise ships to tankers and towboats,” said Jonas Gunnarsson, Personnel Manager at Furetank. “You can navigate several fairways, going into the ports of Gothenburg, Rotterdam, the Oslo Fjord etc. We can also simulate moving through ice or rough sea. Only our imagina tion sets the limits for what shipping companies can do in this simulator.”