Kongsberg Maritime Provides Major Simulator Upgrade for The Arctic University of Norway's New Priority Program Within Maritime Training and R&D Projects

UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, has selected Kongsberg Maritime to provide cutting-edge upgrades and extensions of existing ship's bridge simulators for navigation and DP training including human factor studies. UiT's strong focus on maritime and offshore training, human factor studies and R&D projects strengthens knowledge and competence in Advanced Operations in the polar environment.

Artists impression of the 6 DOF (degree of freedom) motion platform and visual system.

The Arctic is of increasing global importance and is very much in focus within the offshore and shipping industries. Climate change, the exploitation of Arctic resources and environmental threats are topics of great public concern, and which the UiT takes special interest in. As a part of its new priority program, the Maritime Faculty will move into a brand new technology building co-located with the rest of the University. The new premises are specially designed to house the extended simulators.

The University benefits from a Long-Term-Service-Support-Program with Kongsberg Maritime, which allows significant upgrades of new software technology and new functionalities. By this the University will have the latest and most advanced simulator system available. In addition, Kongsberg Maritime was awarded a contract for extension of the existing main ship's bridge simulator with a new 6 DOF (degree of freedom) motion platform, more visual channels and integration with a DNV class A Dynamic Positioning (DP) simulator.

With its simulator upgrade and expansions in place, UiT will offer students and external partners a wide range of courses within navigation and ship maneuvering, including ice-navigation, ice management, emergency, search & rescue and operations in the Artic and harsh environments. The expansion of new simulator capabilities are geographically very relevant to the UiT, since it will be able to meet demand for advanced training for ship owners, oil & gas companies and other organizations operating, exploring and developing in Northern Norway and arctic waters, especially in light of the growing interest for exploration & production in the high north.

The University will also be using the simulators in studies related to Maritime Operations such as, human factors, fatigue studies, sub-sea research and seamanship/organization development including ice-management studies.

"The simulator upgrade will contribute to raise the quality of seafarers educated at UiT and in addition strengthen our position within advanced studies in human factors, and the maritime and polar environment," comments Bjørn Batalden, lecturer, UiT the Arctic University of Norway.