Pratik Bijlani –
On September 30, ISF Group inaugurated its new Maritime Simulation & Training Centre at Chandak Unicorn, Mumbai, in an event attended by leading figures from the maritime sector. The occasion marked a significant milestone in maritime education and training, showcasing ISF Group’s commitment to equipping Indian seafarers with advanced skills and immersive learning opportunities. Chief Guest Mr Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping, graced the event alongside Capt Rajesh Tandon, CEO, FOSMA; Capt MC Yadav, Director – Training, FOSMA; Capt Belal Ahmed, Managing Director, Western Shipping; Mr Pawan Kapoor, MD, ISF Group; Dr Poonam Kapoor, Director, ISF Group, and several other notable industry stakeholders.
The new centre is outfitted with cutting-edge simulation technologies, including Full Mission Simulators for both Deck and Engine operations, Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), and dedicated Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) laboratories. These facilities provide cadets and seafarers with hands-on experience in critical maritime operations, covering areas such as watchkeeping, collision avoidance, navigation light identification, and engine troubleshooting. The centre also incorporates specialized courses in liquid cargo handling, LNG bunkering, engine resource management, and emerging fuels, emphasizing sustainable practices, decarbonization, and digital transformations.
Ms Yogyata Kapoor, Director, ISF Group, delivered a welcome address highlighting the centre’s mission to provide value-added training to prepare seafarers for a rapidly evolving industry. She stressed the importance of collaboration with partners like Western Shipping and FOSMA and underlined the role of AR/VR technologies in fostering immersive learning environments. Following her address, Mr Pushkar Kapoor demonstrated ISF Group’s innovative VR and AR modules. Using Oculus headsets and a custom Android application, he showcased interactive features allowing cadets to explore shipboard equipment in 3D, understand step-by-step operations, and virtually dismantle and examine complex components. The modules also cover celestial navigation, ship construction, and emergency scenarios, while the MarineAR mobile application ensures that students can access interactive learning anywhere.
Capt. Belal Ahmed delivered an emotional address reflecting on the long journey that led to the establishment of the centre. He said, “This has been an idea that we have been working for so many years. And coming together in one place, as one institution, to be able to work together is something I don’t believe happens every day.” Emphasizing the fragmented nature of the maritime sector, he urged greater collaboration, highlighting India’s responsibility as one of the largest suppliers of global seafarers and calling on the government to take a more proactive leadership role in shaping international maritime regulations.
Capt. Rajesh Tandon elaborated on FOSMA’s role in bridging educational gaps, noting, “I wanted to bridge the training gap between what is actually required on board and what actually is available from the training institutions which are DG approved, because that sets the minimum standard.” He emphasized initiatives like the Certification and Development of Faculty (CADCF), which aim to motivate instructors and ensure meaningful knowledge transfer.
Shri Shyam Jagannathan lauded the centre as a landmark in maritime training, stating, “It is the first ever FOSMA, Western Shipping supported common collaborative infrastructure. And it is a sizable capital investment which perhaps every shipping company may not actually do.” He highlighted the government’s role in supporting seafarers’ welfare, discussed the upcoming 24×7 grievance redressal system, and encouraged the industry to leverage technology, implement standardized faculty training, and adopt innovative learning platforms.
The inauguration concluded with a vote of thanks by Capt. Pawan Kapoor, followed by refreshments, leaving attendees inspired by the transformative potential of India’s newest maritime training hub.
Marex Media
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Wave of Change
Capt Srirang Manjeshwar, with decades of experience in maritime training, joined ISF in 2022 after long collaborations with Mr Pawan Kapoor. He envisions ISF as a hub for advanced simulation, e-learning, and AR/VR-driven training, bridging the gap between classroom knowledge and onboard realities. With a strong focus on human factors and skill development, he believes the next five years will see ISF driving innovation in pre-sea and post-sea training. “The main focus today is skill development and the human element in the marine industry,” he emphasizes, underlining ISF’s commitment to preparing seafarers for a rapidly evolving maritime world.
Engineering Change
Mr Nagaraj Shenoy joined ISF in 2023, bringing a passion for cutting-edge maritime education. A teacher turned innovator, he is excited by ISF’s expanding use of AR, VR, and e-learning to meet the needs of modern shipping. Highlighting the industry’s transition from traditional fuel oils to LNG, LPG, ammonia, and beyond, he stresses the importance of simulators in preparing engineers for new propulsion technologies. “These simulators will help students experience scenarios they may never encounter onboard,” he explains. For him, the next five years at ISF will be about empowering engineers worldwide through technology-driven, flexible training solutions.
Crafting Safer Seafarers
Capt Belal Ahmed highlighted that the new ISF Simulation & Training Centre was conceptualized to deliver holistic training, covering LNG bunkering, gas carriers, tankers, and integrated bridge and engine room simulators. He emphasized that while accidents are often attributed to human error, the real issue lies in inadequate preparation of seafarers. “A human makes mistakes because he has not been properly prepared to do the job,” he stressed. Through behaviour-based safety training and advanced simulation, he believes seafarers can develop both technical competence and safety mindset, ensuring higher professional standards and readiness for modern maritime challenges.
Realistic Readiness
Mr Pawan Kapoor emphasized the critical role advanced simulators play in preparing seafarers for the demands of modern shipping. “Simulators provide a realistic environment where knowledge and skills can be applied and tested before stepping onboard,” he noted, underlining their importance as technology and fuels evolve rapidly. He stressed that reducing human error requires both effective simulator programs and a stronger pool of trained seafarers. Highlighting ISF’s long-standing collaboration with Western Shipping and support from FOSMA, Capt. Kapoor described the new centre as an industry-led initiative designed to deliver relevant, future-ready training for the next generation of maritime professionals.
Powering India’s Maritime Workforce
Capt Rajesh Tandon underlined the importance of advanced training investments to equip Indian seafarers for a rapidly evolving industry shaped by digitalization, new fuels, and decarbonization goals. “It is better to be trained and prepared than to learn by mistakes at sea,” he stressed, noting that simulators drastically cut risks by improving readiness. He praised Western Shipping and ISF for making this facility accessible industry-wide, beyond their own fleets, reflecting a philosophy that “a seafarer is a seafarer.” With FOSMA’s support, he highlighted the initiative as a vital step in enabling smaller operators and expanding India’s global maritime manpower share.