DigitalisationEurope

Sail around the world with virtual navigation

The Netherlands is a world leader in maritime technology. Many companies at the port of Rotterdam are dedicated to expanding the field. One of these companies is VSTEP Simulation, developer of maritime simulators and software for training purposes. Port of Rotterdam Authority is using these solutions to train commanding officers for its vessels.

Narjiss Ghajour Send an email February 15, 2022
1,613 4 minutes read
VSTEP Simulation

 

As former developer of naval simulation games, VSTEP started building maritime simulators in 2011 – at first only for maritime navigation, but later also for inland navigation. The simulators have been used by shipping companies, maritime training centres and schools all over the world. Starting this year, the Shipping and Transport College Rotterdam will be training students on NAUTIS inland navigation simulators built by VSTEP. These will allow students to virtually navigate all the oceans and rivers of the world onboard a vessel that meets their training objectives. From small fisheries craft to a 400-metre-long container ship. This software also offers a fantastic solution for training pilots, who have to safely pilot vessels in and out of the port even under difficult weather conditions or when there’s a lot of traffic congestion.

Enabling learning by simulation

“Training on a simulator has several advantages over training onboard”, Tije Vos, commercial director of VSTEP, explains. “It’s cost-effective and safe. You can create an accident with a simulator without causing damage to people or vessels. You can better evaluate what went wrong in order to learn from your mistakes. We call this learning by making use of an engineered failure. This fits well with our vision: learning through simulation. Our simulators help clients meet their training objectives. That’s why our first question is always, “What do you want to train someone to do?”

Response Simulator

Together with security professionals, VSTEP has developed a specific virtual environment for security training: the Response Simulator. The Joint Fire Brigade in Rotterdam, among others, uses it to train and test their commanders. Vos: “A commander has to be able to make the right choice in a critical situation. We visualise the results of those choices, which helps commanders learn more quickly.” The Port of Rotterdam Authority used the Response Simulator of the Joint Fire Brigade for a couple of years to train commanding officers onboard RPA vessels. At the beginning of 2021, the Port of Rotterdam Authority decided to acquire its own version of this software. Vos: “They can make up their own scenarios with the software. Think of something like a tanker that has caught fire. How do you prepare for that? All the training sessions are recorded for evaluation purposes.”

Steps to professionalisation

“As a Rotterdam-based company, we’re proud to have the Rotterdam Port Authority as our client. We’re excited about how the relationship will develop further. We have a dedicated contact person for virtualisation and simulation at the Port Authority. This works really well.” Although a young and relatively small company, VSTEP is keeping up with the biggest players in the market. “Our hard work has paid off and we’re taking giant steps to professionalisation with the products we deliver. Since we started, we’ve sold 400 maritime simulators worldwide. In the Netherlands, all inland navigation schools use our inland navigation simulators, and we’re in negotiations with inland navigation schools elsewhere in Europe as well.”

Autonomous navigation

Since 2018, VSTEP has been collaborating with the Rotterdam start-up Captain AI, a developer of software for autonomous navigation. “We make our NAUTIS software available for training their algorithms”, Vos explains. “Our software can simulate all different kinds of weather scenarios in no time and feed them to the computers for autonomous navigation. This means they learn more quickly. In the long run, autonomous navigation will make the maritime industry enormously efficient. VSTEP and Captain AI can reinforce each other while working to that end. We receive many similar requests for collaboration each year from start-ups, but we like to choose our Rotterdam neighbours. We’re also collaborating with a lot of other Dutch companies, both big and small. The Netherlands is after all a world leader in maritime technology.”

Inspiring work environment

The maritime sector has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Training courses have been put on hold for months, while fleet owners have found it difficult to hold on to their employees. Vos: “We also had to downsize from 70 to 50 staff, but we’re already back up to 60. The forecasts are good: a lot of trade fairs are going to be held in 2022 and we can now travel to other countries. There’s plenty of work waiting for us!” Which, according to Vos, makes it a challenge to fill job vacancies. When it comes to highly skilled personnel, many companies are fishing in a small pool of candidates.

“For our engineering department, we are looking for university trained technical professionals with knowledge of hydrodynamics. We also have more general job functions. Our special charm is that we are a small family-owned company with wonderful clients and smart, well-designed products. We recently moved from the city centre to the former fruit warehouse of Total Produce on the Marconiplein. In this building, that’s owned by the Port of Rotterdam Authority, we can combine our production and offices, plus we’re housed with other maritime businesses. It’s an inspiring work environment for an entrepreneur, where you can pick up new ideas and run with them.”

VSTEP simulation

Home training

VSTEP has an ambitious objective: “By 2030, to have a third of maritime personnel worldwide trained on one of our simulators.” With that in mind, the company is launching a solution in spring of 2022 that allows you to train at home or onboard. “A simulator is the end station for training courses. It demands a huge investment. If we want to realise our ambition, we have to become more accessible and offer home training options with the same high quality as the current simulators. It’s a real challenge, but we’re going to keep developing to help the maritime sector become even more efficient in the future!”

This article is shared by courtesy of Port of Rotterdam. 

VSTEP Simulation – leader in simulation and VR solutions. VSTEP simulators enable you to train your skills in an efficient, cost-effective and sustainable way.

 

Narjiss Ghajour Send an email February 15, 2022
1,613 4 minutes read
Photo of Narjiss Ghajour

Narjiss Ghajour

Editor-in-Chief of Maritime Professionals

1,239 Comments

  145. easy canadian pharm [url=https://easycanadianpharm.com/#]easy canadian pharm[/url] canadian pharmacy

  163. Mega India Pharm [url=http://megaindiapharm.com/#]MegaIndiaPharm[/url] reputable indian online pharmacy

  172. canadian pharmacy 24 com [url=https://easycanadianpharm.com/#]easy canadian pharm[/url] reliable canadian pharmacy

  185. xxl mexican pharm [url=https://xxlmexicanpharm.com/#]xxl mexican pharm[/url] xxl mexican pharm

  193. slot demo pg gratis [url=http://slotdemo.auction/#]akun demo slot[/url] Banyak pemain mencari mesin dengan RTP tinggi

  200. BonaSlot [url=http://bonaslot.site/#]bonaslot.site[/url] Pemain bisa menikmati slot dari kenyamanan rumah

  208. demo slot pg [url=http://slotdemo.auction/#]slot demo[/url] Kasino di Jakarta memiliki berbagai pilihan permainan

  216. slot demo [url=https://slotdemo.auction/#]slot demo rupiah[/url] Slot modern memiliki grafik yang mengesankan

  224. demo slot pg [url=http://slotdemo.auction/#]slot demo pg gratis[/url] Kasino sering mengadakan turnamen slot menarik

  230. garuda888 [url=http://garuda888.top/#]garuda888 slot[/url] Banyak kasino menawarkan permainan langsung yang seru

  238. slot demo rupiah [url=https://slotdemo.auction/#]akun demo slot[/url] Mesin slot menawarkan pengalaman bermain yang cepat

  245. garuda888 slot [url=http://garuda888.top/#]garuda888[/url] Beberapa kasino memiliki area khusus untuk slot

  252. garuda888 [url=https://garuda888.top/#]garuda888.top[/url] Beberapa kasino memiliki area khusus untuk slot

  259. preman69 slot [url=http://preman69.tech/#]preman69[/url] Slot modern memiliki grafik yang mengesankan

  266. slot 88 [url=http://slot88.company/#]slot88.company[/url] Banyak pemain berusaha untuk mendapatkan jackpot

  275. where buy cheap clomid without prescription [url=https://clmhealthpharm.shop/#]ClmHealthPharm[/url] how can i get cheap clomid without prescription

  283. zithromax 250 mg australia [url=https://zithropharm.com/#]zithromax pill[/url] zithromax 500mg over the counter

  290. doxycycline 400 mg price [url=https://doxhealthpharm.shop/#]buy doxycycline 100mg[/url] buy doxycycline 40 mg

  298. doxycycline 20 mg india [url=http://doxhealthpharm.com/#]Dox Health Pharm[/url] doxycycline monohydrate

  314. how to get clomid [url=https://clmhealthpharm.shop/#]ClmHealthPharm[/url] where to buy clomid online

  322. Viagra homme prix en pharmacie [url=https://viagrameilleurprix.shop/#]acheter du viagra[/url] Meilleur Viagra sans ordonnance 24h

  329. vente de mГ©dicament en ligne [url=https://tadalafilmeilleurprix.com/#]Cialis sans ordonnance 24h[/url] pharmacie en ligne avec ordonnance

  338. pharmacie en ligne france livraison belgique [url=https://pharmaciemeilleurprix.com/#]pharmacie en ligne[/url] pharmacie en ligne sans ordonnance

  353. Viagra sans ordonnance livraison 48h [url=http://viagrameilleurprix.com/#]Acheter Viagra Cialis sans ordonnance[/url] Viagra vente libre pays

  360. Viagra homme prix en pharmacie [url=http://viagrameilleurprix.com/#]Acheter Viagra Cialis sans ordonnance[/url] Viagra femme sans ordonnance 24h

  369. Viagra homme prix en pharmacie [url=http://viagrameilleurprix.com/#]acheter du viagra[/url] Prix du Viagra 100mg en France

  376. pharmacie en ligne livraison europe [url=https://tadalafilmeilleurprix.shop/#]Cialis sans ordonnance 24h[/url] п»їpharmacie en ligne france

  386. Viagra pas cher livraison rapide france [url=https://viagrameilleurprix.shop/#]Viagra sans ordonnance 24h[/url] Viagra homme prix en pharmacie sans ordonnance

  394. pharmacie en ligne [url=https://pharmaciemeilleurprix.shop/#]pharmacie en ligne france[/url] pharmacie en ligne fiable

  400. pharmacie en ligne livraison europe [url=https://kamagrameilleurprix.shop/#]acheter mГ©dicament en ligne sans ordonnance[/url] pharmacie en ligne france livraison belgique

  409. pharmacie en ligne fiable [url=https://pharmaciemeilleurprix.shop/#]pharmacie en ligne sans ordonnance[/url] pharmacie en ligne france fiable

  417. pharmacies en ligne certifiГ©es [url=https://pharmaciemeilleurprix.com/#]pharmacie en ligne pas cher[/url] acheter mГ©dicament en ligne sans ordonnance

  424. pharmacie en ligne france fiable [url=https://tadalafilmeilleurprix.shop/#]Tadalafil sans ordonnance en ligne[/url] pharmacies en ligne certifiГ©es

  430. pharmacie en ligne [url=https://kamagrameilleurprix.com/#]kamagra livraison 24h[/url] pharmacie en ligne livraison europe

  437. pharmacie en ligne livraison europe [url=https://kamagrameilleurprix.com/#]kamagra pas cher[/url] pharmacies en ligne certifiГ©es

  441. trouver un mГ©dicament en pharmacie [url=http://pharmaciemeilleurprix.com/#]pharmacie en ligne france pas cher[/url] п»їpharmacie en ligne france

  447. Viagra pas cher paris [url=http://viagrameilleurprix.com/#]viagra en ligne[/url] Acheter viagra en ligne livraison 24h

  453. Viagra homme prix en pharmacie sans ordonnance [url=https://viagrameilleurprix.com/#]Prix du Viagra en pharmacie en France[/url] Sildenafil teva 100 mg sans ordonnance

  458. Pharmacie Internationale en ligne [url=https://pharmaciemeilleurprix.com/#]pharmacie en ligne france[/url] Achat mГ©dicament en ligne fiable

  560. Mexican Cert Pharm [url=https://certpharm.com/#]mexican pharmacy[/url] Mexican Cert Pharm

  569. the canadian pharmacy [url=https://expresscanadapharm.com/#]Express Canada Pharm[/url] Express Canada Pharm

  576. Express Canada Pharm [url=https://expresscanadapharm.com/#]reputable canadian online pharmacies[/url] Express Canada Pharm

  583. Express Canada Pharm [url=https://expresscanadapharm.shop/#]canadian online pharmacy[/url] canadian pharmacy ltd

  588. Express Canada Pharm [url=https://expresscanadapharm.com/#]Express Canada Pharm[/url] canadian pharmacy meds reviews

  594. Always ahead of the curve with global healthcare trends.
    [url=https://lisinoprilpharm24.top/#]order generic lisinopril without rx[/url]|[url=https://clomidpharm24.top/#]can i purchase generic clomid without rx[/url]|[url=https://cytotecpharm24.top/#]cytotec for sale usa[/url]|[url=https://gabapentinpharm24.top/#]can you take vitamin d with gabapentin[/url]|[url=https://cipropharm24.top/#]where can i buy cipro[/url]
    Everything what you want to know about pills.

  601. Global expertise with a personalized touch.
    [url=https://lisinoprilpharm24.top/#]can you get generic lisinopril no prescription[/url]|[url=https://clomidpharm24.top/#]cheap clomid pill[/url]|[url=https://cytotecpharm24.top/#]where can i get cytotec prices[/url]|[url=https://gabapentinpharm24.top/#]gabapentin 300 mg capsule apo ingredients[/url]|[url=https://cipropharm24.top/#]can i get generic cipro without dr prescription[/url]
    A universal solution for all pharmaceutical needs.

  606. Outstanding service, no matter where you’re located.
    [url=https://lisinoprilpharm24.top/#]lisinopril pill cost[/url]|[url=https://clomidpharm24.top/#]can i purchase generic clomid no prescription[/url]|[url=https://cytotecpharm24.top/#]cost cytotec prices[/url]|[url=https://gabapentinpharm24.top/#]gabapentin and skin problems[/url]|[url=https://cipropharm24.top/#]cost generic cipro prices[/url]
    Making global healthcare accessible and affordable.

  773. Соревнуйтесь СЃ РґСЂСѓР·СЊСЏРјРё РЅР° игровых автоматах.: balloon game – balloon казино демо

  775. Автомат Ballon — идеальный СЃРїРѕСЃРѕР± расслабиться.: balloon игра – balloon game

  776. Найдите СЃРІРѕР№ lucky slot РІ казино.: balloon game – balloon казино официальный сайт

  778. Присоединяйтесь Рє игрокам РЅР° автоматах.: balloon game – balloon казино официальный сайт

  781. Автоматы Ballon поднимают настроение каждому.: balloon казино – balloon игра на деньги

  784. Погрузитесь РІ РјРёСЂ азартных РёРіСЂ.: balloon казино – balloon казино официальный сайт

  788. balloon игра balloon game Играйте РїРѕ СЃРІРѕРёРј правилам РЅР° автомате.

  789. Казино — это шанс РЅР° финансовую СЃРІРѕР±РѕРґСѓ.: balloon казино демо – balloon казино официальный сайт

  800. Ballon — РёРіСЂР°, полная СЃСЋСЂРїСЂРёР·РѕРІ.: balloon игра – balloon казино официальный сайт

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button