[By: Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement]

BSM Launches Methanol Bunkering Simulator in Partnership with Wärtsilä

As the global shipping industry accelerates its move towards decarbonisation, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has unveiled its first methanol bunkering simulator at its Maritime Training Centre in Kochi, India, in collaboration with maritime technology leader Wärtsilä. This cutting-edge training platform provides seafarers with essential knowledge and hands-on skills to safely handle methanol as fuel, with an ammonia bunkering simulation module set to follow in early 2026.

This initiative forms a key part of BSM’s overarching strategy to future-proof its training capabilities, ensuring operational readiness and safety for the upcoming generation of low- and zero-carbon vessels. Sebastian von Hardenberg, CEO of BSM, emphasized, “Maritime decarbonisation hinges not only on new technologies but also on the people who operate them. Their expertise is crucial for safe and efficient vessel operations and a successful energy transition.”

The inauguration of the new simulator in Kochi marks just the beginning. By the end of 2025, two additional methanol bunkering simulators will be deployed at BSM’s Maritime Training Centers in Poland and the Philippines, significantly expanding the company’s capacity to deliver impactful alternative fuel training globally.

In the first quarter of 2026, BSM will further enhance its Kochi simulator with a dedicated ammonia training setup, completing comprehensive simulation coverage that includes existing LNG hub training, as well as methanol and ammonia—the three primary alternative fuels propelling maritime decarbonisation.

Preparing for a Multi-Fuel Future

BSM’s proactive investment in simulation technology and crew training aligns directly with the evolution of its managed fleet. The company is set to assume management of its first methanol-fuelled vessels this year, underscoring the critical role of training and upskilling efforts in ensuring safe, compliant operations. With approximately 60 methanol-fuelled vessels currently in operation worldwide and projections indicating over 350 by 2030, the demand for skilled personnel is poised to escalate.

“We must be ready for a multi-fuel future,” remarked Capt. Gurpreet Singh, Group General Manager, Training and Development at BSM. “The new Wärtsilä simulator enables our seafarers to train in a realistic, risk-free environment, preparing them for the intricacies of methanol, and soon ammonia, bunkering operations with precision. This investment is not just in technology but in competence and safety.”

Johan Ekvall, Director Simulation and Training at Wärtsilä, added, “We are proud to support BSM in advancing maritime safety and sustainability. Our simulator offers a realistic and technically accurate environment to ready crews for methanol operations and the future of green shipping.”

Train-the-Trainer: Building Knowledge from the Top

Recognizing that this transition necessitates new skills for instructors, BSM is also investing in training its trainers. For instance, the company participated in the world’s first Train-the-Trainer program on Alternative Fuels for Sustainable Shipping in April in Shanghai, organized by the IMO and World Maritime University (WMU). This ensures that BSM’s in-house experts are aligned with global standards and methodologies, equipped to impart seafarers with the requisite knowledge and practical skills for safe and efficient handling of methanol and ammonia as marine fuels in line with the IMO’s IGF Code.

In this context, BSM has developed a range of training courses focused on the safe handling of new fuels, including familiarization courses on methanol and ammonium as fuel, specialized methanol firefighting courses, and simulation-based bunkering courses.

Simulator Capabilities at a Glance

The Wärtsilä TechSim 5000, based on the TechSim 9 platform and certified by ClassNK for basic and advanced IGF Code training, features a comprehensive simulation of methanol fuel systems, including:

• Dual bunkering stations with liquid and vapor return lines
• Real-time monitoring of multiple storage and service tanks
• Low-pressure pump skids, nitrogen systems, and fuel valve trains
• Integrated Automation System (IAS) with interactive controls
• 3D visualization of bunkering stations and prep rooms
• Emergency shutdown (ESD) systems and alarm management
• A suite of e-Tutor scenarios covering bunkering, troubleshooting, and emergency response

The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.