Finnish maritime software and data services company Napa has partnered with Dutch training provider Simwave to provide seafarers and ship operators with access to advanced stability training.
The partnership will see Simwave instructors receive certification to deliver training on Napa’s Stability and Loading Computer software via online and in-person sessions, including at Simwave’s training centre in Rotterdam.
Simwave Founder and CEO Marcel Kind said that he was proud to be working with Napa on the training: “Safety and stability training is undoubtedly an essential part of the knowledge and expertise needed by today’s crews and we are proud to team up with NAPA to add this new specific training to our portfolio.
“This will help us make seafarer training for ship stability management easier to access, in a classroom or online, while also boosting the quality and efficiency of such training.”
In addition to ensuring Simwave's ability to provide training on its software, Napa also said that its extensive database and software licenses will allow the training provider to offer “hyper-realistic training” by reproducing an onboard experience in Simwave’s large installations and 59 simulators.
With a focus on the cruise industry, the deal will also see Napa’s eLearning course integrated into Simwave’s career management platform, providing remote training for seafarers to access anywhere in the world.
Napa safety solutions executive vice-president Esa Henttinen described the need for the cruise industry’s 250,000 seafarers to receive up-to-date training on implementing new technologies with high safety standards.
Henttinen said: “Sustainable and smarter shipping demands the adoption of a wide range of new technologies on board and this poses a tremendous upskilling challenge to ensure that our safety training capabilities keep up with the fast-evolving technical landscape on board.”
Last year Napa’s Japan division announced it would be part of a programme with several Japanese organisations seeking to create their own simulation platform to promote digital engineering technology and skills in the maritime sector.