Samsung Heavy Industries and Evergreen Collaborate on VR Solutions for Green Ship Operations

South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has teamed up with Taiwanese container shipping company Evergreen to develop and implement virtual reality (VR) solutions aimed at educating seafarers on how to operate green ships.

The VR solutions have been installed at the Evergreen Seafarer Training Center (ESTC) to assist seafarers in learning how to operate eco-friendly equipment used on 16,500 TEU containerships owned by Evergreen.

The launching ceremony for the methanol dual fuel vessel seafarer training VR took place at ESTC on July 11, 2025.

According to SHI, the VR solutions are designed to train seafarers who operate methanol dual-fuel propulsion vessels within a virtual space, enabling them to fully understand the equipment before operating the vessel in real life.

Evergreen’s order of twenty-four methanol dual-fuel 16,000 TEU containerships is a significant step towards decarbonizing its fleet, with delivery expected between 2026 and 2027.

Shipping companies are increasingly implementing training programs for seafarers to operate new equipment in response to stringent environmental regulations and a rise in eco-friendly shipbuilding orders. Samsung Heavy Industries’ VR program allows direct inspections of critical areas in virtual spaces, eliminating the need for physical boarding of ships.

VR solutions enable seafarers to operate equipment with more complex systems found on eco-friendly ships and provide training for emergency situations such as fuel leaks or fires. These solutions aim to reduce operational risks and maintenance costs associated with equipment malfunctions.

“VR solutions tailored to customer needs will enhance the operational stability of eco-friendly ships,” said Dong-yeon Lee, Vice President and Director of SHI’s Ship & Offshore Research Institute.

Globally, hundreds of thousands of seafarers will require training in the coming years to handle alternative marine fuels, driven by the increasing orders for alternative-fueled ships.

Earlier this year, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) sub-committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) adopted draft interim generic guidelines for training seafarers working on ships powered by alternative fuels and new technologies.