Pratik Bijlani
Wärtsilä convened its Simulation User Seminar on October 16, at The Courtyard by Marriott in Mumbai, convening maritime experts, scholars, and industry leaders to examine cutting-edge simulation technologies and applications.
Under the leadership of Neil Bennet, General Manager at Wärtsilä, the event brought together industry luminaries, with Captain SI Abul Kalam Azad, Nautical Advisor-Cum Additional Director General (Nautical) at DG Shipping, as chief guest, and Captain Prabhat Nigam, President of Maritime Trainers Guild, as guest of honour. The event drew prominent industry figures, including Capt Aalok Sharma, Group Director (Training) at AEMA; Capt Anish Joseph, Deputy Nautical Adviser, DG Shipping; Mr Arun Kumar Gupta, Chairman of IMEI Navi Mumbai Chapter; Ms Sanjam Sahi Gupta, Director of Sitara Shipping Ltd.; Capt. Pramod Kumar, Director of Eminence Marine; Mr Sanjeev Mehra, Managing Director of Kenmark Tech Solutions and other dignitaries of the industry.
Wärtsilä’s Sachin Kulkarni delivered a keynote presentation, ‘Shaping Decarbonization of Marine,’ highlighting the maritime industry’s urgent need for decarbonization. He stressed vessel-specific solutions to reduce energy demand, enhance efficiency, and adopt alternative fuels.
The seminar showcased Wärtsilä’s advanced training simulators, utilizing Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies to provide immersive, realistic training environments for mariners. Captain Varun Rawat emphasized the value of simulation tools in maritime training, citing their ability to teach leadership, decision-making, and risk strategies in a safe, risk-free environment.
Captain Prabhat Nigam’s powerful speech highlighted the profound impact of digitalization on society, emphasizing that we’re at a critical juncture where technology is transforming how we communicate, work, and live. While digitalization has revolutionized numerous aspects of our lives, it also poses significant challenges, including the erosion of human connection and a growing sense of isolation. Nigam stressed the importance of striking a balance between technological advancements and human interaction, particularly in maritime training.
Wärtsilä’s Sanjeev Thasari emphasized the critical role of innovative training methods, such as simulations and blended learning, in equipping seafarers to handle decarbonization technologies like LNG, methanol, and hybrid energy systems.
The Wärtsilä Simulation User Seminar 2024 offered a comprehensive platform for exploring simulation technology and decarbonization’s transformative impact on maritime training and operations, underscoring Wärtsilä’s dedication to industry innovation.
Marex Media