Carnival Maritime begins training crew of LNG-fuelled vessel

The basis of the training is a new cooperation between Carnival Maritime and Wessels Reederei, which is providing the LNG-powered containership WES Amelie for training purposes.

The 30-day on board training sessions on the WES Amelie allow AIDA’s captains and officers to experience what it is like to control an LNG-fuelled vessel under real operating conditions. A training record book is kept throughout in order to document the skills acquired; the participants also take part in a bunker procedure and an emergency drill. In addition to this, Carnival Maritime’s landside ship superintendents are also completing training courses with Wessels.

Christian Hoepfner of Wessels Reederei said: “We are very happy to be helping Carnival Maritime by providing our valuable insight and experience in the operation of LNG vessels.

“Safe handling of LNG is a key aspect of the introduction of LNG as a maritime fuel. By contributing our expertise we hope to make the use of LNG more widespread, which will also help to further roll out LNG bunker infrastructure.”

Caroline Baumgärtner, Director Maritime Training Carnival Maritime, added: “The purpose of practical training is not just to build knowledge, but also to gain confidence in handling the technology and develop safety awareness when using LNG. I am very grateful to Wessels Reederei for their excellent and unbureaucratic support. This cooperation is very valuable for our company and our crews.”

AIDA Captain Vincent Cofalka, who has already completed his training course, said: “To experience hands-on what LNG operations are like on board the WES Amelie was a valuable opportunity, and the support provided by the team on board was tremendous. I would like to thank everyone, also on behalf of my colleagues, for their patience and their untiring willingness to share their knowledge.”

In addition to the training courses, Carnival Maritime claims that it has a cooperation with LNG supplier Shell. Officers also undergo intensive LNG management level training at the Center for Simulator Maritime Training (CSMART) in Almere, the Netherlands. Over the next five years, the Costa Group is planning to commission five LNG cruise ships, and Carnival Maritime will be providing the relevant training courses for the crews.

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/28082018/carnival-maritime-begins-training-crew-of-lng-fuelled-vessel/