BSM and Wärtsilä launch a methanol bunkering simulator in Kochi to train seafarers for green shipping.
In a significant leap toward greener seas, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has launched its first methanol bunkering simulator at its Maritime Training Centre in Kochi, in collaboration with maritime tech leader Wärtsilä. This pioneering facility is set to equip seafarers with critical knowledge and hands-on skills for handling methanol as marine fuel, preparing them for the fast-evolving low-carbon shipping landscape.
The move comes at a time when the global shipping industry is under mounting pressure to decarbonise. Methanol, alongside LNG and ammonia, is emerging as a key alternative fuel in this transition. Recognising the importance of people alongside technology, BSM is investing heavily in simulation and safety.
“The maritime decarbonisation depends not just on new technologies, but also on the people who operate them,” said Sebastian von Hardenberg, CEO, BSM. “Their capabilities are the foundation for safe and efficient vessel operations and a successful energy transition.”
The Kochi centre is just the beginning. BSM plans to install two more methanol simulators in Poland and the Philippines by the end of 2025. A dedicated ammonia bunkering module will follow in early 2026, rounding out a comprehensive training ecosystem that also includes existing LNG simulation hubs.
“We must be prepared for a multi-fuel future,” noted Capt. Gurpreet Singh, Group GM, Training and Development, BSM. “This simulator allows our seafarers to train in a realistic, risk-free environment. It’s not just a technology investment; it’s a commitment to competence and safety.”
BSM is already preparing to manage its first methanol-fuelled ships later this year, making this training platform vital for safe and compliant operations. With more than 350 methanol ships expected by 2030, the demand for trained crew is only set to grow.
Johan Ekvall, Director, Simulation and Training at Wärtsilä, added, “Our simulator offers a technically accurate environment to prepare crews for methanol operations and the future of green shipping.”
To ensure trainers are equally future-ready, BSM also took part in the world’s first Train-the-Trainer program on Alternative Fuels, organised by the IMO and World Maritime University in Shanghai earlier this year. This ensures their in-house instructors are aligned with global standards and the IGF Code, critical for safe methanol and ammonia operations.
Simulator at a glance:
The new Wärtsilä TechSim 5000, certified by ClassNK, replicates real-world methanol fuel systems, including:
- Dual bunkering stations with vapor return lines
- Low-pressure pumps and nitrogen systems
- Fuel valve trains and emergency shutdowns
- 3D bunkering visuals and IAS controls
- Real-time alarms and e-Tutor emergency scenarios
As the industry sails toward a low-carbon future, BSM’s simulator launch is not just a technological milestone; it’s a bold investment in people who will lead the charge toward greener, safer, and smarter shipping.
Source: BSM
