Asia’s First TOTS Compliant Cargo Handling Simulator validated by DNV

2010-08-26


The performance of Asia's First Cargo Handling Simulator designed, set-up and owned by global simulation solution provider Applied Research International (ARI), is validated by the competency management arm of DNV, DNV SeaSkill.

“With the performance validation of ARI's state-of-the-art Full Mission Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator (ARI-LCHS), we have established a stronger foothold in the Simulator certification market,” says Vernon Sequeira, Manager, DNV SeaSkill-India & Sri Lanka. He points out, "This is not only one of DNV's significant Cargo Handling Simulator certifications but also one of Asia's first liquid cargo handling simulators to receive the 'Statement of Compliance'."

Comprehensive solution
Besides ensuring that the simulations provided by ARI-LCHS include an appropriate level of physical and behavioural realism, DNV SeaSkill has also approved the TOTS compliant state-of-the-art facility and qualitative training programmes offered by ARI.

DNV is the world’s only classification society to offer a full suite services supporting ship owners and managers in competency benchmarking, says Vernon, “and with this transaction, DNV SeaSkill will establish a strong foothold in the maritime competency management sector.” ARI’s Simulation Product Training Centre recently announced the commencement of INTERTANKO’s “Element 4 Tanker Officers Training Standards (TOTS)” training, and verification programs for product, crude oil and chemical tankers - all of which have been fully approved and certified by DNV.

The DNV performance validation team comprising of Captain Sanjeev Soni, Principal Consultant, DNV SeaSkill-Singapore and Capt. Vernon Sequeira, Manager, SeaSkill-India and Sri Lanka, endorsed ARI’s bundled solution framework consisting of DNV approved Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator and TOTS compliant training and verification exercises.

ARI’s MD, Shravan Rewari pointed out, “ARI’s Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator comes with a library of TOTS compliant training and verification exercises and presents an opportunity for INTERTANKO member companies and maritime institutes to rapidly deploy approved effective tanker competency assessment and enhancement solutions.”

Looking ahead
“The key challenge is to undertake expansion plans to be able to cater to large and growing market demand,” says Vernon. Furthermore, DNV SeaSkill is upgrading its standards and competence to cater to the certification demand of non-maritime simulators including crane and offshore oilfield support vessel simulators.

Giving a broader outlook about the demand for the simulator certification segment in the Asia Pacific region, Mr. Sanjeev Soni, Dy. General Manager & Principal Consultant of DNV SeaSkill in Asia Pacific, points out, "There is an increasing demand in this segment as more and more end-users are now starting to contract DNV services to ensure that the simulators installed at their premises fully meet the requirements of the DNV Standards. Users see real value in the product certificates issued at the end of DNV's on-site verification of their simulators, and value these as an extra measure of confidence in their purchase of high quality simulation solutions that are truly ‘fit for purpose’." notes Sanjeev.

DNV