Rotterdam, 08–02-2021 – VSTEP further strengthens its international footprint by signing a deal with the South Korean partner, SRC CO Ltd. to deliver NAUTIS Simulators at JEJU Seong San High School.
SRC CO Ltd. is a maritime equipment developing and manufacturing company that began its journey in 2008. Professional engineers with more than a decade of experience in the field develop, source and supply IT based maritime equipment.
Jeju is a popular island located in South Korea that attracts thousands of people for its jaw-dropping natural beauty. However, being an island means that the main mode of transportation to the surrounding regions is through water. As such, one of the renowned high schools in Jeju – JEJU Seong San High School was searching for high tech maritime simulators to train their students advanced navigational skills. VSTEP joined a tender process through the local partner SRC CO Ltd. and has won the deal to deliver one Full Mission Bridge Simulator with fishing module as well as ten classroom-based training desktop simulators.
The simulators will allow their students to gain the competences they require through realistic and cost-effective training. The configurations will enable groups of trainees to practice their navigation skills in highly detailed simulated environments in alignment with the school’s training goals.
Mr Hungi Lee, General Manager at SRC Co. Ltd said:
“This fishing simulator is the 3rd series installed at the Korean Marine Science High School. After Gyeongnam Marine Science High School in 2014, the installation was completed at Pohang Marine Science High School in 2017. We take pride in supplying products of the best educational quality by supplying products that realize perfect performance through the development and update of fishing vessel operation functions every year”.
About VSTEP
VSTEP creates innovative simulation software for professional organizations worldwide. We are a team of 60 explorers who are always up for challenges. We are not constrained by standards and are flexible in our approach to fulfilling the mission: enable learning by simulation.
We are all dedicated to the same vision: ensure that at least one-third of the maritime industry has obtained their skills through our simulation technology. Hence, we strive to make a great contribution to creating a more sustainable world. We invest in continuous R&D of our software and work passionately as a team to get there.
About SRC CO Ltd.
SRC CO Ltd. is a maritime equipment developing and manufacturing company that began its journey in 2008. Professional engineers with more than a decade of experience in the field develop, source and supply IT based maritime equipment.
Updated on 09-08-2026.
Why the pipeline argument matters here
Placing a maritime simulator in South Korea at secondary school level looks like a small project against the scale of the industry’s staffing problem. The 2026 Seafarer Workforce Report from BIMCO and ICS estimates a shortage of 39,100 STCW certified officers this year, and a need for 113,735 additional officers by 2030 to operate the world merchant fleet.
Numbers on that horizon are set by decisions taken well before the academy stage. A student who has handled a vessel in a simulator at sixteen makes a better informed choice about a maritime career, and arrives at professional training with a working idea of what watchkeeping involves. That is a slower lever than recruitment campaigns, and a more durable one.
| Project summary | |
|---|---|
| Customer | JEJU Seong San High School, South Korea |
| Partner | SRC CO Ltd., maritime equipment specialist since 2008 |
| Delivery | NAUTIS maritime simulators |
| Purpose | Maritime education for students on Jeju island |
| Level | Secondary education, ahead of academy or professional training |
Frequently asked questions
Who delivered the NAUTIS simulators in South Korea?
VSTEP partnered with SRC CO Ltd., a South Korean maritime equipment developer and manufacturer founded in 2008, to deliver NAUTIS simulators at JEJU Seong San High School. The partnership combines the simulation platform with local engineering, installation and support expertise on the island itself. Delivery covered installation on site as well as the simulator systems.
Why does a high school on Jeju train with ship simulators?
Jeju is an island, so water transport is central to the region’s economy and daily life. Training the next generation of mariners early, on realistic simulators, gives students practical navigation skills and a head start towards professional maritime careers close to where those careers are actually available. It keeps the pipeline local rather than exporting it.
Can NAUTIS be adapted to regional training programmes?
Yes. NAUTIS is used across very different education systems, from Dutch vocational institutes to Asian maritime schools. Local partners help tailor installation, curriculum integration and support, which is how the platform scales internationally without the training quality depending on a supplier being in the same time zone. Curriculum fit is agreed with the school before installation.
Why introduce simulator training at secondary school level?
Officer training is a long cycle, and the shortfall projected by industry bodies is measured in years rather than months. Realistic navigation practice at secondary level lets students test whether a maritime career suits them before committing to an academy programme, and raises the starting level of those who do continue.
NAUTIS in maritime education worldwide
Explore the NAUTIS ships simulator and our maritime training solutions, or book a demo to discuss simulation for your school.
