NSB chooses Wärtsilä simulator for trainer centre upgrade

Germany’s NSB Niederelbe Schiffahrtsgesellschaft mbH (NSB) is to install a Wärtsilä simulator at its Maritime Training Centre in Buxtehude, as part of the facility’s technical upgrade.

The simulator will feature the latest versions of Wärtsilä’s Navi-Trainer professional simulation software. It will also have the most recent Nacos Platinum bridge systems, which include multi-pilot work stations for Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), radar and conning applications.

Other features of the setup include a high-performance visualisation system, Interactive Bridge Information Display technology, a 1.4-m voyage planning table connected to the main bridge, a video and audio recording and playback system, and a new sound system, Wärtsilä said in a statement.

Tim Ponath, CEO at NSB, commented: "This upgrade will help us practice 'what-if' scenarios to meet our high standards in shipping and our ability to respond and improve in a very personalised way to meet the needs of our customers. Wärtsilä’s simulator makes it possible to connect different training centres in a way that has never been done before. After the first opening in 2007, we now again have a sophisticated stand-alone training facility. Wärtsilä’s head of Product Simulation & Training, Johan Ekvall, added: "The skills shortage is a real issue facing the maritime industry today. Since Covid-19, many have left the industry, and new recruits are not coming in fast enough to replace them. It’s clear we need to be able to get mariners up to speed quickly and ensure they undergo robust training to maintain high standards. NSB Group does great work in bridging this gap and delivering enriching training programmes to students across shipping."