Mintra showcases cutting-edge maritime training solutions at Posidonia 2024

Mintra will showcase its cutting-edge solutions which are tailored specifically for the training, compliance, and operational efficiency of the maritime and energy sectors worldwide. As well as visiting Mintra on Stand 1.472 Hall 1, attendees will be able to attend Mintra’s expert mini-talks throughout the event, to make the most of the unique learning and networking opportunity provided by Posidonia 2024.

Mintra is renowned for developing and deploying solutions that empower its clients to manage their workforce effectively. With a team of over 200 specialists in consulting, design, development and support, Mintra operates from its headquarters in Bergen and has offices in Oslo, Stavanger, Aberdeen, Copenhagen, Cyprus, and Manila. This global presence allows Mintra to meet its clientele’s diverse training, competency, HR, payroll, and workforce management needs.

With a maritime heritage spanning three decades, Mintra has a deep understanding of the complexities of global shipping operations and an appreciation of the daily logistical challenges and administrative burdens faced by maritime professionals. More importantly, Mintra recognises that well-trained, competent crews are essential for safe shipping and have the technology to allow crews to undertake training any time and from any location, whether onshore or at sea.

Mintra’s participation at Posidonia demonstrates its commitment to supporting the maritime industry through advanced training and competency solutions:

• Award-Winning Maritime Course Library 2,600+ courses including Health, Safety and Environment, Engineering and Technology, Business and Leadership and Trade Skills.
• Trainingportal – Training & Competency Management. Trainingportal enables the efficient delivery, management, and reporting of remote workforce training and competence from one centralised solution.
• OCS HR – Integrated Crew Management Solution. OCS HR is a comprehensive suite of HR and Crewing systems developed over 40 years.

Award Winning Maritime Course Library

Mintra’s award-winning maritime eLearning library includes 227 titles covering a wide range of safety, regulatory, operational and technical subjects, tailored to various ranks and job roles from deck officers to galley staff. Selected courses are DNV-ST-008 Learning Programme certified and STCW-accredited by the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA).

The library also features soft skills training in areas such as leadership, negotiation, and time management, which are increasingly in demand due to the maritime industry’s move towards smaller crews and greater automation of operations.

As well as this they provide a comprehensive library of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Training courses, that are structured to equip maritime professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and implement ESG principles within their operations. This training is crucial for promoting sustainable practices, improving social responsibility, and enhancing governance within the maritime industry

Including the maritime-specific content, Mintra provides over 2,600 compliance-based courses accredited by organisations such as DNV, OPITO, CPD, ECITB, HCA and the Nautical Institute.

Innovations & Thought Leadership at Posidonia

A highlight of Mintra’s presence at Posidonia will be the daily mini-talks hosted by Marvin Bielek, Project Manager and Instructional Designer at Mintra. These sessions, held on the Mintra stand 1.472 Hall 1, will focus on the future of maritime training amidst rapid technological advancements. Bielek will delve into the crucial role of immersive training solutions and demonstrate how the maritime sector can adapt to its ever-evolving competence needs.

The shipping industry has always been on the move – although it is not necessarily an early-adopter, it undergoes constant adjustments

…said Marvin Bielek, Project Manager and Instructional Designer at Mintra.  “For many people working within the maritime sector, the last years have brought changes more rapidly than ever before.

Be it new national or international regulations, technological changes through the implementation of new and the evolution of existing tools or a complete shift, such as the environmental rules for the engine department, with the IMO’s net zero GHG 2050 emission goal.

“This in turn then affects training requirements as per STCW and ISM codes, which directly affects the daily work of seafarers and shore staff alike. Keeping up with constant changes and ensuring competencies are in line with future needs is not an easy task.

“Thus, learning is also undergoing a continuous evolution. Immersive learning is an essential adjustment offering a wide range of different technologies and methodologies to ensure people are up to task.

Investing in personnel, from their physical and mental well-being to their skills and competencies is the only way to future proof the industry.

Talk Series No. 1: Navigating the Future: ECDIS with S-100 Onboard

This talk will provide an overview of the S-100 framework and its various standards, highlighting their implications for navigators. It will address the growing complexity of ECDIS and other navigational tools, offering guidance on training methods and tools to enhance user satisfaction and competency in software use.

Talk Series No. 2: Mind the Gap: Engaging Seafarers with Immersive Training Solutions

Bielek will explore how immersive training solutions bridge the competence gap created by the growing number of new maritime technologies and regulations. He will demonstrate how strategic training addresses these challenges and enhances seafarers’ safety, operational efficiency, and profitability.

Talk Series No. 3: Charting Course Compliance: Regulation Changes & Optimisation Opportunities for STCW Training

This presentation will offer an outlook on upcoming regulatory changes and their implications for different vessels. It will discuss the simplicity of decentralised STCW training with on-board cooperation and the potential for blended learning and virtual classrooms.

Efficiency & Cost Savings

Mintra’s optimisation efficiencies can mean up to 30% cost savings overall, compared to other market providers. The benefits of these efficiencies are multifaceted, encompassing time, resource, and material savings.

Mintra eLearning delivers the same content in 25% fewer course titles and 16% less course time, making training more efficient and less time-consuming for maritime professionals. The elimination of manual installation and maintenance translates to resource savings of approximately 12 working days per year, allowing companies to allocate their personnel more effectively and enhance overall productivity. Additionally, by eliminating the need for hardware, waste materials, and shipping costs, Mintra saves $200 per vessel annually. This reduction in material usage not only lowers costs but also contributes to more sustainable operations

Global Reach & Connectivity Solutions

Mintra services over 2.7 million system users and 4,000 companies, operating in some of the world’s most challenging environments. The learning and competency management system is designed for vessels with limited connectivity, ensuring that training can continue anywhere and anytime. Training materials can be accessed online and downloaded onboard, allowing seamless learning even in remote locations. The system is maintenance-free, with notifications and updates passed automatically when internet connectivity is available, saving valuable time and resources.

NMA (Norwegian Maritime Authority) STCW Approved Training

Mintra is approved as an educational and training institution by the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) in accordance with section 14 of the regulations of 22 December. The STCW (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) is a key IMO Convention. Mintra issues STCW certificates approved by the NMA for several courses:

• Norwegian Maritime Rules & Regulations (STCW 1/10.2)
• On-board Assessor according to IMO model course 1.30, STCW rule 1/6, and section A-1/6
• Ship Security for crew with designated duties, STCW rule VI / 6, table A-VI / 6-2
• Ship Security awareness, STCW rule VI / 6, table A-VI / 6-1
• Ship Security Officer (SSO), STCW rule VI / 5, table A-VI / 5
• Crowd & Crisis Management STCW-95, table A-V/2 and A-V/3

These STCW certificates are valid for five years. The eLearning component is the first stage towards achieving the STCW certificate. A signed agreement from the shipowner is required before on-board exercises can take place. This agreement is emailed to Mintra to confirm the training program.

The second stage is conducted on board the vessel, requiring an Evaluator and the completion of exercises and a checklist. The Evaluator can be the vessel Captain, a qualified assessor, the Master/Chief Engineer, or Rig Manager. Once the on-board checklist is signed and completed, it is emailed along with supporting documentation to Mintra for review. The STCW certificate is awarded by Mintra upon approval of the checklist and eLearning certificate.

DNV-ST-008 Certified Training

Mintra offers several courses certified to the DNV-ST-008 Learning Programme standard, including:

• Cyber-Security Awareness Training
• Mooring Safety
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Sea
• MARPOL (Maritime Pollution)
• Ballast Water Management

This standard ensures that training courses are properly designed, meet applicable content requirements, contain clear objectives, are delivered by qualified trainers, and are assessed and improved in line with market demands and experience.

The Mintra quality management system is also certified as complying with the DNV standard for Maritime Training Providers (DNV-ST-0029), demonstrating strong training design and delivery processes. This certification process verifies that Mintra consistently analyses and adheres to applicable mandatory regulations, supporting legal compliance.

ECDIS Type-Specific Courses

The Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) is a transformative computer-based navigation system designed as an alternative to traditional paper chart navigation. ECDIS not only visualises all the information available on paper charts but also integrates a wide array of additional data crucial for navigational purposes. It provides a real-time display of essential information and continuously determines the ship’s position, enhancing navigational safety and efficiency.

To ensure proficiency in using ECDIS, mariners must undergo specialised training. One such essential training is the IMO Model 1.27 course, a prerequisite for the Safebridge type-specific familiarisation course. These ECDIS Type-Specific Training (TST) courses are made available for 21 days and feature approximately 16 hours of familiarisation content. The training is structured into three main features to maximise learning and application.

eLearning

At the heart ofour ECDIS type-specific training is the eLearning feature, which provides access to all training content of the course. This mode is meticulously divided into different modules, units, and topics, allowing trainees to easily locate and focus on the relevant content. The eLearning experience is designed to ensure that learners can systematically absorb the necessary knowledge to operate ECDIS effectively.

Practice Mode

A standout feature of the training is the practice mode, which allows trainees to use the original ECDIS software during their training. This unique mode lets learners apply the knowledge gained from the eLearning directly to the manufacturer’s software, facilitating practical, hands-on experience. FreePlay bridges the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application, enhancing the trainee’s competence in operating the actual ECDIS equipment.

Course Assessment

The assessment feature is the exam mode of the training. It combines various questions related to the course content into an interactive exam format. Upon successful completion of the test, a detailed performance report is generated, and a certificate is sent via email. This certificate, which includes the manufacturer’s logo and details of the equipment covered, serves as a testament to the trainee’s proficiency and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Mintra offers 16 different ECDIS Type-Specific Training Courses in collaboration with ten leading ECDIS manufacturers, including JRC, Anschütz, Sperry Marine, Wärtsilä, Tokyo Keiki, Wärtsilä Voyage (Transas), Navico Simrad, Kelvin Hughes, ChartWorld, and Consilium. These courses are manufacturer-approved and comply with the IMO and Flag State requirements, ensuring that the training meets the highest standards of quality and relevance.

To further ensure the credibility and authenticity of the training, Safebridge maintains a comprehensive candidate and certification database. This database is accessible to relevant authorities via a QR code on the certificate, allowing for easy verification of the certificate’s validity. Each certificate includes the candidate’s name, date of birth, and nationality, alongside details of the specific ECDIS equipment covered.

By offering robust and comprehensive ECDIS Type-Specific Training Courses, Mintra ensures that maritime professionals are well-equipped to utilise these advanced navigation systems effectively. This not only enhances their capabilities but also contributes to the overall safety and efficiency of maritime operations.