about MTC

„Training and education of ship’s crews is an important aspect in manning policy of the shipping companies” says Heinz Kuhlmann. The worldwide merchant fleet is increasing due to globalization and increasing world trade volume. Hamburg as one of the most interesting shipping locations in Europe is enjoying high growth rates. Meanwhile Germany is ranking no. 3 in worldwide fleet size with more than 3700 ships and 1000 ships on order for German shipowners. Due to this development it has become difficult to find qualified crews. “Since the nautical education takes 5 years to receive an officers license and another 5 years for a navigator to get the necessary experience to take over a vessel as a captain the problem cannot be solved immediately but simulator training can help to shorten this period”, says Kuhlmann. Pilots are also requesting simulator training to ensure a safe operation at all conditions and taking the increasing size of vessels into consideration. After dredging the River Elbe and extending harbor facilities in the Port of Hamburg mega container carriers with a capacity of 13.500 TEU and a length of 400 m can be accepted for pilotage and berthing. 150 of these ships have been ordered from yards in Korea, of these more that 50% by German owners. Upon delivery of these mega liners from 2010 onwards, pilots, shipping companies, ports and terminal operators will have to ensure safe and efficient operation. “MTC prepares a mathematical model of this vessel and implemented it into the shiphandling simulator. Ship’s crews and pilots can train sailing, manoeuvring and berthing before the first vessel is delivered by the shipyard”, says Heinz Kuhlmann. The shiphandling simulator is capable to simulate more than 60 different vessel types.

In addition to the shiphandling simulator MTC also installed an engine simulator, a simulator for GMDSS and a liquid cargo simulator for the education of oil and gas tanker crews. Furthermore “hands-on” training for operation and maintenance of ships engines and components is provided in a training workshop of MAN Energy Solutions SE. Fire fighting and rescue boat training courses of ma-co have been integrated into the MTC course portfolio. With a training capacity of 14.300 man-days MTC is one of the largest marine training centers in Europe.