Schulte adds LNG training

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TRAINING • BERNHARD SCHULTE HAS ADDRESSED THE GROWTH OF THE LNG SHIPPING INDUSTRY BY INVESTING IN A NEW TRAINING FACILITY FOR ITS OWN CREWS AND THIRD PARTIES

BERNHARD SCHULTE SHIPMANAGEMENT (BSM) has opened a new liquid cargo training facility at its Maritime Training Centre (MTC) in Cyprus. The new unit is aimed specifically at LNG operations, both for LNG carriers and for the new breed of LNG-fuelled vessels. Combined with a structured career progression model, BSM says the facility will ensure that its crews are highly training and competent to support its growing LNG shipping operations around the world.

“The new immersive environment is part of a wider boost to LNG training across the whole company, reflecting increasing industry demand and more LNG vessels entering the market,” BSM states. Demand has increased enormously in recent years with a growing number of vessels being converted to LNG and significant orders for new LNG vessels placed with shipyards in Asia following the implementation of the IMO sulphur cap in January 2020.

The Cyprus centre has been equipped with a new Liquid Cargo Simulator (LCS), designed in-house by BSM’s technical team. It uses GTT Training software to provide realistic training on a wide range of vessel types, cargo containment systems and propulsion systems.

RANGE OF COURSES BSM has rolled out the GTT Training software to its MTCs in Mumbai, Manila and Poland, where crews will be able to complete the training in a classroom environment with the simulator displayed on screens.

However, the MTC in Cyprus is the very first to have a dedicated designed simulator room, which offers a far more realistic and immersive experience, complementing the existing training offered. It makes the centre - which will be open to seafarers from other companies and organisations - a valuable gas training hub for the whole region and will benefit new LNG seafarers, many of whom are expected to come from eastern Europe.

“Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement has over 45 years of experience in the management of gas carriers, and currently manages more than 100 gas carriers, all staffed by our highly trained specialised gas fleet teams,” notes Andrew Hall, general manager HR marine at BSM. “We are committed to our seafarer training at all levels. The new Liquid Cargo Simulator will ensure that the technical and operational expertise, the understanding of key processes and knowledge of management best practice, of our seafarers working onboard gas carriers and LNG-fuelled ships is both industry leading and comprehensive.

“By only satisfying the minimum industry requirements we do not necessarily produce the best LNG crews, so we have added tailored development programmes to our range to ensure that we provide the best possible opportunities and to ensure we have highly competent seafarers onboard our LNG vessels.”

The Cyprus MTC offers a number of courses to meet the requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), including advanced and basic liquefied gas tanker operations, and advanced and basic training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code (for ships fuelled by gas or other low-flash fuels). It also offers LNG tanker operations management training according to the recommendations of the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGGTO), alongside a range of in-house and client-specific training. www.bs-shipmanagement.com

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