New state-of-the-art maritime facilities open at LJMU

Brand new state-of-the-art facilities at LJMU will help boost the Mersey’s thriving maritime industry. 

The university’s Ship Simulator Suite, which has trained crews for the new Mersey ferry, Stena Line and other operators, provides marine pilots, shipmasters and officers with a realistic, risk-free environment in which to practise docking, emergency response and other manoeuvres. 

With Liverpool’s maritime sector riding on a wave of investment, the facilities boost the river’s reputation for safety, operational resilience and world-leading maritime skills. 

The £1m investment refits the university’s Maritime Centre with three new full missions bridge simulators - two 360 degree and one 180 degree. The upgraded full mission engine room simulator includes a low speed dual fuel tanker capable of operating under the IGF Code, alongside additional IGF-focused models for liquified natural gas and methanol bunkering. 

LJMU has one of the UK’s longest-established histories of maritime training and education, and this new state-of-the-art facility will make a real difference to the preparation of pilots, captains and senior officers for the challenging and varied conditions of the seas from the Mersey to the southern oceans.

Professor Mark Power, LJMU Vice-Chancellor

“The updated technology allows us to build simulator models of any ship, so the pilots, masters and officers we train get the look, feel and performance of their own vessel,” explained Dr Abdul Khalique, head of the Maritime Centre at LJMU. “For example, we have developed a high-fidelity virtual model of the Royal Daffodil, the new Mersey ferry, allowing crews to familiarise themselves with its handling and emergency procedures before the vessel enters service.” 

Delivering professional training and supporting research

LJMU is the country’s oldest maritime training university, with almost two centuries of history delivering courses to deck officers and marine engineers, including the Marine and Maritime Engineering degree and postgraduate courses in Port Management, Maritime Operations and more. The centre also delivers the only Mastering Shipbuilding professional course in the country. 

Beyond professional training, the simulators support research into navigational systems, human factors, decarbonisation, autonomous ship operations, energy efficiency and green corridor development. The LJMU team can also recreate ports, simulate waterway expansions and test how a port could safely accommodate new or larger ships.  

Recent work includes developing training for Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion, collaboration with engineering firm GT Wings, generation of accident scenarios involving autonomous navigation systems and ongoing research on AI-based autonomous ships, energy efficiency and green corridors.  

Speaking at the opening of the simulators, Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: "This is exactly the kind of place that I try to conjure up an image of when I'm talking to people about innovation-driven growth in our city region. It's not innovation for its own sake, but innovation that solves problems, gives people new skills and helps businesses become more productive and competitive. 

"The students who are training here today are going to become the well-paid engineers, operators and maritime leaders of tomorrow. We want them to leave this university with the skills that employees are looking for and with the opportunities to build successful careers right here in the Liverpool City Region." 

A "first class representation"

Captain John Hambley Jones, Senior Master at Stena Line, said: “We have made use of the LJMU simulator for training Masters in BRM and ship handling training with tugs. We have also used the facility to evaluate potential changes to berths and vessels manoeuvring equipment. The simulator staff have worked seamlessly to create effective simulation models which give a first-class representation of the vessels manoeuvrings, characteristics and interaction with tugs and berths. 

“For training, vessel design and berth design this facility has become a very effective tool in reducing risk, benchmarking parameters and making measured changes.”  

Petr Olyanyk, Head of Wartsila Simulation Product Sales, Europe, who manufactured the system, said: “We are seeking to establish a framework for collaboration with LJMU on research and the future development and application of maritime simulation technology.”