Containership first for maritime trainer

The model vessel, which is due to be launched on 16 May 2013, will join WMA’s existing fleet at Southampton Solent University’s Ship Handling Centre and will be the first container ship to join the WMA fleet.

It has been modelled on a real 13,000 teu container ship, most widely used by major shipping companies such as Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM Group.

Andrew Hair, director of WMA, explained: “As the models handle the same way as a real ship, they give experienced seafarers the opportunity to train around slow speed control, practising complex and potentially hazardous manoeuvres. The training builds understanding of the behaviour of ships, which is essential to develop skills in their everyday work situation.”

“With 95% of the world’s trade moved by sea, ships are getting larger and waterways and ports more crowded, so scale model ship handling training is more important than ever,” he added.

The 1:25 scaled model is 14.62m long, weighs 12.5 tonnes, has a single screw propeller, two operational power anchors, electric hydraulic steering and propulsion controls. Transferrable water ballast enables the scaled ship to operate in light or loaded conditions.

It can replicate real ship manoeuvres and has also been fitted with additional thrusters fore and aft to represent a tug alongside, pulling or pushing.

In addition, WMA is in the process of building a sister ship to the popular Panamax vessel. Due to be operational this summer, it will increase the fleet to nine models representing 12 differing vessel types.