In May 2024, his Majesty King Willem Alexander opened MARIN’s new research facility, the Seven Oceans Simulator Centre. This globally unique facility contributes to clean, smart, and safe shipping, as well as the sustainable use of the ocean. Crews can be trained in the simulator centre for maritime operations that are becoming increasingly complex due to larger ships, rising sea traffic, and more unpredictable weather patterns.

All simulators can be interconnected to replicate scenarios involving multiple ships operating under challenging sea conditions. The new simulators are also used for research into the application of virtual reality techniques and the monitoring of unmanned ships. MARIN can also conduct research in the SOSc into Human Factors: the functioning of the crew in difficult circumstances. MARIN uses nautical and hydrodynamic research to optimise ships, platforms, wind turbines and ports and works on innovations to realise sustainable energy, food and raw material extraction at sea.

The SOSc closes the gap between design and operation. The involvement of the future crew in the design of the ship and its application is a prerequisite for safe, effective and smart ships, offshore structures and operations. We call this 'crew-centered ship design and operation'.

Program

15:00 - 15:15Reception in the Pacific meeting room at the Seven Oceans Simulator Centre (SOSc)
15:15 - 15:30Welcome and introduction to MARIN by Olaf Waals (President MARIN)
15:30 - 15:50Overview of the Seven Oceans Simulator Centre by Arno Bons (Manager Simulation & Visualisation department)
15:50 - 16:10Woodside’s Scarborough Energy Project in SOSc by Pedro Silveira (Project Manager Maritime Operations)
16:10 - 16:25Coffee break
16:25 - 17:30Tour of the SOSc (including a visit to the test basin MARIN (hopefully the Offshore basin, depends on the client of the running projects that moment)
17:30 - 18:15Drinks and informal networking