Viking Cruises is to use VSTEP’s CESNI compliant simulation products for its river cruise vessels’ crew training.
Similar to many other inland waterway cruise companies, Viking Cruises is facing a shortage of personnel.
By investing in simulation solutions, Viking will gain control over the learning paths and reach the training objectives, the company claimed.
To familiarise themselves with VSTEP’s products, Viking Cruises’ crews tested a portable simulator. This successful trial resulted in the start of a partnership.
As a result, VSTEP will supply two NAUTIS full mission simulators and four NAUTIS desktop simulators. They will be installed on an inland cruise vessel to facilitate more efficient training on a larger scale, Viking said.
“This new partnership with Viking Cruises, one of the largest river cruise liners of the world with a fleet of over 75 vessels, is a next step to strengthen our position in the European market for inland training,” said Tije Vos, VSTEP’s Commercial Director (pictured). “After a successful 2021, this is a huge step for the industry to use simulation and invest further in the learning of the crew.”
VSTEP mainly focuses on inland shipping and has invested with several stakeholders in the inland education sector, for example in Dutch training colleges, such as Maritime Academy Harlingen, STC, NOVA College and ROC Friese Poort, to incorporate simulation-based training to enhance the skills of the inland crews.
This resulted in the CESNI regulations on which VSTEP based the development of its NAUTIS CESNI compliant maritime simulators.
