GAC, the global provider of shipping, logistics and marine services today announced the launch of GAC Training & Service Solutions Limited (GTSS), a new initiative that will provide innovative and cost saving training solutions for the LNG and tanker markets, as well as other commodity and maritime sectors. A joint venture between GAC and the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), the partnership will provide expert delivery of a portfolio of training courses for both seafarers and shore-based shipping personnel.

Courses will be available at the state-of-the-art $100 million training facility at NMCI in Cork, Ireland, the client’s location and through the latest e-learning provision, or any combination thereof. Course content has been developed and will be delivered by respected names in maritime training, including Howard Candelet, the former Vice President of British Gas LNG Services at BG LNG Services and Nick de Spon, a former master mariner with over 40 years high level experience of the oil and gas sectors.

The training will empower and equip employees to provide safe and secure terminal and jetty operations, reducing the physical, environmental and financial risk synonymous with modern shipping and onshore services. GTSS courses offer a broad appeal with course modules ranging from safety and security to laytime and demurrage for terminal jetty operators. For those engaged in shipping and commodity operations, GTSS will provide course modules that include INCO terms, Bills of Lading, charter party and contract demurrage.

The courses are designed to provide unique “hands-on” training to ship owners, operators, managers, charterers and trading companies, oil, gas and chemical companies (on shore and off shore), terminal owners and operators, industry bodies, trade finance banks, insurance companies and P&I Clubs, cargo inspection companies and ship brokers.

Christer Sjodoff, Group Vice President, GAC Solutions said: “Education is key to the success of most companies and we are committed to providing our customers with first class courses, lecturers, materials and facilities. GTSS combines GAC’s global network, commercial contacts, knowledge and over fifty years of maritime expertise with the superb facilities of NMCI – the world’s most advanced maritime college.”

Sjodoff continued: “Our own internal GAC Corporate Academy has been operational for some years now and we can clearly see the impact it has had in improving our services to our customers and in motivating our people. We expect GTSS to do exactly the same for our customers.”

Conor Mowlds, Managing Director, GTSS, commented: “In challenging times, investment in human capital is crucial, as the opportunity for retuning and re-aligning skills and operations becomes increasingly pronounced. Ultimately, the launch of GTSS will empower our clients’ personnel to do their jobs better, supporting the quest for a continuously improving, safer and more professional maritime industry.”

A key feature of the GTSS courses is the use of virtual experiences created through the use of Return to Scene (R2S) digital imagery captured inside LNG shore tanks, ships’ tanks, the cargo manifold, CCR and other areas. Using highly specialised cameras never before used for training purposes, R2S technology provides 360 high-resolution images that are then interlinked to create a virtual walk through environment for GTSS trainees - providing a previously unseen system for viewing technical or remote physical assets. R2S allows operations procedures, risk assessments, lessons learned and even assessment criteria to be linked and accessed onboard a vessel, platform or refinery.

A US$100 million, three year old training facility, the NMCI is run jointly between Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and the Irish Naval Service. It is equipped with:

• 17 bridge simulator suite including 360 degree vision
• Survival pool fitted with wave, wind turbine, drenching, visual and sound effects
• Helicopter underwater escape training
• Marine jetty fitted with freefall and davit lifeboats with pontoon and slipway access to Cork harbour
• Damage control unit specialising in flooding simulation
• Fire fighting unit
• Communications laboratories
• Electrical, mechanical and welding workshops
• Seamanship workshop
• Conference facilities

The Irish Maritime Development Office welcomed the decision by GAC and NMCI to establish GTSS in Ireland. IMDO Director Glenn Murphy commented: “We are confident that this joint venture will significantly add to Ireland’s reputation internationally as a leading centre for maritime training and excellence. We also are optimistic that this investment will lead to increased employment opportunities and investment in the region.”

Source : NMCI, February 2010