A portfolio of simulator-based courses is under development by the centre with the aim of becoming a leading maritime training organisation where ‘seafarers will always come first’.
Kongsberg Digital will supply a completely integrated K-Sim Navigation Full-Mission Class A Bridge, K-Sim Engine Room and K-Sim Liquid Cargo Handling simulators.
The integration between the simulators provides a unique ‘total ship’ learning experience enabling crew resource training for improved operational teamwork on board, supported by physical and behavioural realism for all aspects, Kongsberg said.
“Complete integration between different simulator types is essential to deliver crew resource training where all operational aspects are carried out by separate teams with different, but connected functions in a total ship, real-time scenario,” said Sølvi Opthun, area sales manager, Maritime Simulation, Kongsberg Digital. “Through our unique approach to integration, the Athina Maritime Learning and Development Centre can further promote the competence and professionalism of seafarers individually and collectively, aimed at conducting safe and efficient vessel operations.”
K-Sim simulators use advanced mathematical and sophisticated engine and hydrodynamic models to allow vessels, equipment and marine objects to behave and interact as in real life, Kongsberg claimed.
Stelios Volakis, the centre’s training manager, said: “By providing a training environment similar to the actual on board operating conditions, our training centre will be capable of delivering an outstanding learning experience to enable seafarers to enhance their knowledge and skills in a rapidly changing and demanding industry.”
Sokratis Dimakopoulos, Minerva Marine COO. said: “The competence of our seafarers is a key success parameter for ensuring flawless, efficient and safe operations and as such we are looking forward with enthusiasm to the operation of the Athina Maritime Learning and Development Centre.”
In another move, Minerva Marine is to implement an enterprise asset management (EAM) programme with ABS Advanced Solutions in an agreement signed at Posidonia.
The ABS Advanced Solutions approach is designed to help owners and operators to manage their entire lifecycle of physical assets to optimise use, reduce costs, and improve vessel reliability and efficiency.
The programme addresses core elements established over more than a decade of experience: asset lifecycle management strategy, organisational readiness, computerised maintenance management system functionality and utilisation, planning and scheduling, work management, inventory management, metrics and performance improvement, and maintenance and reliability strategy.
Minerva Marine currently operates 65 tankers and six drybulk carriers out of which 30 are classed with ABS.
“Minerva is a first-class shipmanager and their implementation of the ABS Enterprise Asset Management programme is a powerful endorsement of its capabilities,” said Richard Pride, senior vice president of ABS Advanced Solutions. “We are looking forward to assisting Minerva on their journey to asset optimisation.”
Kostas Karathanos, Minerva Marine technical manager, said, “We decided early on to partner with ABS because of the team’s insights into our business processes, their technical expertise and strong EAM experience. We expect the outcome of this work to make a significant contribution to our current efforts on improving the lifecycle efficiency and reliability of our assets.”
Dimakopoulos added: “Reliability and asset integrity are among our strategic objectives, and we are looking forward to working with ABS towards optimising our existing processes.”