Novia and Aboa Mare Ab promote safer and greener shipping
In the picture: Head of Simulation Thomas Lundberg in Wärtsilä's engine simulator at vid Aboa Mare.
The training center Aboa Mare, which brings together the maritime activities of Novia UAS, Axxell, and Aboa Mare Ab, is working toward a sustainable future for the maritime industry through collaboration, innovation, and education. Through projects, courses, and training programs, solutions are being developed to enhance safety and reduce environmental impact. For example, Novia coordinates a project aimed at developing and testing concepts and technologies for remote pilotage.
Both current and future seafarers receive training in the latest technology, including the operation of LNG- and methanol-powered vessels, using advanced engine room simulators. These simulators enable realistic training in modern propulsion systems, thereby enhancing competence in sustainable shipping.
Novia’s research in remote pilotage – making pilotage safer
Novia coordinates the Remote Pilotage MVP research project, which focuses on developing and testing concepts and technical solutions for remote pilotage. At Aboa Mare, simulator-based tests have been carried out to study aspects such as task distribution and communication in remote pilotage situations. The data collected from these tests is being used to develop remote pilotage solutions. The project is funded by Business Finland.
Pilots act as advisors to ship captains, assisting in navigation and manoeuvring through narrow, congested, and traffic-heavy fairways and harbours.
“The main reason for developing remote pilotage is the safety risks associated with pilotage work. Accidents occur globally, particularly when pilots transfer to or from vessels,” explains Mirva Salokorpi, Research Manager in Maritime Technology at Novia.
Project partners include Finnpilot Pilotage, Fintraffic, Brighthouse Intelligence, Groke Technologies, Furuno Finland, Kongsberg, and ESL Shipping.
Psychologist studies the interaction between humans and technology
Dr. Jukka Häkkinen, a psychologist, began working as a project researcher in September 2024.
A key challenge is the lack of shared situational awareness when the ship’s crew and the pilot are not in the same location.
“It is much harder to build a shared situational awareness when you can’t point or immediately react to another person’s actions,” Häkkinen explains.
In remote pilotage, it is crucial to determine what information is transmitted from the vessel to the pilot at the remote pilotage center. Häkkinen is particularly interested in what information is needed at sea in different situations, how decisions are made based on that information, and how future events are anticipated.
Häkkinen is also studying pilots’ eye movements.
“Where they look reveals what information they need for their actions and thinking. This tells us about their mental models. From that, we can deduce what information they require to make sound decisions,” says Häkkinen.
Read Novia’s news article on the topic:
https://www.novia.fi/en/news/news/psychologist-jukka-hakkinen-explores-the-challenges-of-remote-pilotage
Increasing demand for engine simulation for sustainable shipping at Novia and Aboa Mare Ab
An upgrade of Wärtsilä’s engine simulator has been completed at Aboa Mare. The simulator opens new opportunities for education and development in future vessel operations, focusing on alternative fuels and emission reduction.
In addition to Wärtsilä’s upgraded simulator, Aboa Mare has acquired a new engine simulator from Kongsberg Maritime, to be installed in early 2026.
With Kongsberg’s simulator, training can include methanol, battery hybrids, and other future energy solutions, alongside LNG. This enables maritime professionals to gain hands-on experience in handling various operational and safety scenarios.
“We are strengthening our ability to contribute to the development toward zero-emission transport. The simulators make it possible to work concretely on solutions that can take us ‘all the way to zero,’” says Thomas Lundberg, Head of Simulation at Aboa Mare.
The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2023 greenhouse gas strategy is a plan to reduce global maritime emissions. It sets goals for achieving net-zero emissions by around 2050, with interim targets of reducing emissions by at least 20% (aiming for 30%) by 2030, and at least 70% (aiming for 80%) by 2040, compared to 2008 levels. The goal is to guide global shipping toward a sustainable, climate-neutral future.
Advantages and disadvantages of LNG and methanol
LNG (liquefied natural gas) has so far been a common alternative in the transition toward cleaner shipping. Its advantage is lower CO₂ emissions compared to traditional fuels. However, methane slip during combustion can occur, and methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
Methanol is currently considered a more promising alternative.
“The advantage is that it’s a liquid, easier to handle, store, and transport compared to gas. Moreover, green methanol can be produced from renewable sources, making it a truly sustainable option. The main drawback lies in safety risks, methanol is toxic and requires careful handling and fire protection procedures,” says Thomas Lundberg.
In addition to LNG and methanol, ammonia is also being used as a marine fuel. Its benefit is that it produces no carbon dioxide during combustion and can be produced sustainably. However, it poses significant safety challenges, as ammonia is highly toxic. Despite this, ammonia is already being used on some vessels, and development in this area is expected to continue.
A growing industry
Shipping is a rapidly growing global industry, accounting for an increasing share of international transport. Today, there are approximately 600–700 LNG vessels worldwide, and the number is expected to double within the next three years, demonstrating the rapid pace of development and the growing need for education in new technologies and fuels.
The simulators are used in both student education and professional training, including collaboration with companies such as Maersk.
“The background for this investment lies in the rapid technological development in the maritime industry and the need to meet international climate goals. Shipping represents a growing share of global emissions, and new fuels such as methanol, LNG, and ammonia are expected to play a central role in the transition,” says Thomas Friis, Course Director at Aboa Mare Ab.
“The opportunity to train with realistic scenarios strengthens safety and creates the conditions for a faster transition to new, sustainable technologies,” concludes Thomas Lundberg.
Aboa Mare’s news article on the Kongsberg Maritime simulator:
https://aboamare.fi/aboa-mare-invests-in-an-advanced-engine-room-simulator-delivered-by-kongsberg-maritime