Game plan (please delete earlier version)

GlobalSim has spent a lot of time over the past year developing several new visual display configurations to provide a “more immersive” training environment, says Mr Stauffer. “We recently delivered to the Port of Marseille and the Sri Lanka Port Authority a display system based on a 22-inch dome with multiple projectors. The result was a very realistic and seamless image that made the operator feel he was 130 feet above the ship.”

GlobalSim is also continuing to develop more realistic dynamic and collision algorithms for all of its crane models, new spread configurations and new crane models. The company has recently launched a new low-cost portable system, the ML1500, without motion or student cab, and the ML6000, a combined ship-to-shore and straddle carrier training system.

Overall, GlobalSim is reporting a dramatic increase in the number of ports interested in training simulators for both crane and material handling equipment.

“In the past we were only getting inquiries from port and training organisations that were moving 1.5m teu and above. But over the past year, we have seen a significant increase with inquiries from ports that have been handling between 500,000 and 1.5m teu,” says Mr Stauffer.

“They are seeing growth, but cannot find enough experienced crane operators. They are starting to recognise that a high-fidelity crane training simulator has the capability to rapidly and effectively train qualified operators. If they only want to train a couple of operators, there are more efficient methods. However, if they want to train more than a few operators, a training simulator is a very viable option.”