NAUTIS SIMULATOR

SHIP HANDLING SIMULATOR

Realistic ship handling simulator and hydrodynamic modeling

A ship handling simulator offers a safe, cost-effective way to train crews and maritime professionals in complex vessel maneuvers without the risk and expense of real-world operations. With advanced vessel hydrodynamics and realistic environmental conditions, these simulators enable comprehensive competence building and operational readiness for all types of vessels. Users experience authentic handling for different vessel types, including tankers, container ships, inland vessels and naval ships. Training can be tailored to specific vessel types and operating conditions, ensuring that crews receive relevant and practical experience that directly applies to their daily work. This flexibility makes it possible to replicate both routine operations and rare emergency scenarios that would be too risky or costly to practice at sea.

Training for safety and competence

Weather, traffic and port environments are simulated to prepare trainees for challenging operational scenarios. Trainees can practice emergency maneuvers, docking, navigation in restricted waters and ship-to-ship operations in a risk-free environment. Complex exercises such as anchoring in strong currents, operating in congested ports and responding to critical incidents help prepare crews for real-life challenges. Simulators allow repeated practice of specific skills, helping trainees improve muscle memory and decision-making under pressure. This approach improves safety, reduces operational risks and builds confidence for real-world operations, while also reducing training costs compared to traditional on-board training. It also enables continuous competence building, ensuring that experienced crews can refresh their knowledge and adapt to new ship types or updated procedures.

SHIP HANDLING SIMULATOR

Why choose the Nautis ship handling simulator?

The Nautis ship handling simulator by VSTEP is approved in accordance with DNV-ST-0033 maritime simulator systems. It is a customizable training solution designed for maritime academies, shipping companies and government agencies. With nearly two decades of simulation expertise, VSTEP ensures that every training scenario meets the highest standards of accuracy and realism. The simulator features scalable hardware configurations, intuitive instructor stations and a wide range of training modules, making it suitable for both initial competence training and advanced competency development. Its advanced software integrates realistic vessel hydrodynamics with high-fidelity bridge simulation visuals, enabling seamless training sessions that prepare operators for every operational challenge. Whether you need to train cadets, upskill experienced officers or test new port procedures, the Nautis simulator delivers measurable improvements in safety, efficiency and overall competence.

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KEY BENEFITS

Why choose NAUTIS

Our customers opt for NAUTIS due to its distinction among maritime simulators and its ability to fulfill their requirements.

NAUTIS enables learning through simulation

Delivering stunning, lifelike visuals for immersive simulation.

Intuitive design for seamless operation and learning.

Tailored solutions to meet diverse training needs.

Constantly evolving to stay at the forefront of innovation.

Optimized performance for reliable and cost-effective training.

Customers

Proudly chosen by leading companies

We are honored to have these companies in our VSTEP family. Schedule a demo with us to become a part of our community!

What a professional ship handling simulator adds to your training

Ship handling is where theory meets muscle memory. A NAUTIS ship handling simulator lets instructors put crews through berthing, unberthing, anchoring and close-quarters manoeuvring in conditions that would be too costly or too dangerous to stage at sea. Wind, current, shallow-water effect and tug interaction are all modelled, so trainees learn to read how a specific hull responds before they ever command the real thing.

Scenarios are fully repeatable and adjustable. An instructor can freeze an exercise, change the weather, add traffic or reposition a vessel, then debrief with a recorded playback that shows exactly what the trainee did and why. That feedback loop is what turns a ship maneuvering simulator from a demonstration tool into a genuine competence-building platform, in line with STCW requirements.

Ship handling rarely stands alone. Many centres combine it with a bridge simulation setup for full watch training, add towage exercises for tug crews, layer in GMDSS communication training for distress and safety procedures, or start with the NAUTIS simulator platform to see the full range of configurations.

Which manoeuvres crews rehearse on a ship handling simulator

Ship handling training pays off where real operations offer the fewest repetitions. The overview below shows the manoeuvres training centres schedule most often and why they are difficult to practise on a live vessel.

Manoeuvre	What crews practise	Why it is hard to rehearse at sea
Berthing and unberthing	Approach speed, tug use, compensating for wind and current	Depends on port slots, tug availability and workable weather
Restricted water navigation	Shallow water effects, meeting and overtaking, channel transits	Traffic and depth leave little margin for a second attempt
Emergency manoeuvring	Engine or steering failure, evasive action, recovery	These situations cannot be provoked safely on a working vessel
Anchoring and mooring	Anchor handling, holding ground, line and mooring management	A single voyage offers only a handful of repetitions

Frequently asked questions

Why train ship handling in a simulator instead of on the job?

Because the manoeuvres that matter most are the ones you cannot safely rehearse at sea. Berthing in strong wind, engine failure on approach, close-quarters traffic: a ship handling simulator lets crews repeat these situations until the response is automatic, without risk to vessel, port or career, and at a fraction of the operational cost.

Which vessel types can crews train on?

NAUTIS provides authentic handling models for tankers, container ships, inland vessels and naval ships, each responding realistically to wind, current, shallow water and engine input. Training can be tailored to the vessel types and operating conditions your crews actually face, so the experience transfers directly to daily work.

Does simulator training count towards STCW requirements?

Simulator-based training is an established route within STCW, and NAUTIS setups are built to DNV standards to support that use. National administrations set the exact recognition, and in several countries approved simulator time formally substitutes part of the required seagoing service. We advise checking your administration’s policy for specifics.

What tools does the instructor have during an exercise?

Instructors can pause a scenario, change weather, add traffic or reposition vessels while the exercise runs, then debrief with a full recorded playback. That control turns the simulator into a teaching instrument rather than a demonstration, because every exercise can be adapted to the trainee’s level in real time.

Ready to see it live?

See how tug operators like KOTUG train ship handling on NAUTIS, or book a demo and put your own crew scenario on the simulator. Compare the wider range on our bridge simulation page, or start from the maritime training needs overview.

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