ABS today unveiled plans to create a pioneering new ship safety center in Athens harnessing the power of new immersive training techniques, game-based learning and virtual reality environments for the Greek shipping community. The Hellenic Ship Safety Center is designed to prepare seafarers to handle a multi-dimensional industry with alternative fuels and emerging technologies, recognizing that decarbonization advances that do not prioritize safety are not sustainable. Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy of Greece Christos Stylianides and ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J.
Wiernicki “There is a lot of focus on technology readiness timelines but what we need to focus on is people readiness timelines,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO. “Just think about the degree of change faced by a seafarer today: dynamic versus static fuels, advanced electrification systems, innovative power trains, active energy efficiency devices, soon you can add carbon capture systems, the toxicity challenge of ammonia and further down the track maybe nuclear propulsion.
Clearly, the coming generation of seafarers will need to acquire a range of new skills and competencies, and the industry needs to invest in training and development to ensure that these skills are effectively transferred.” The center, which has the support of the Hellenic Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Union of Greek Shipowners, will address critical emerging safety issues such as handling dynamic .
