Wärtsilä and Sinocrew partner to establish a leading international training centre for seafarers in the Asian cruise industry

Technology group Wärtsilä and Sinocrew Maritime Services, a leading provider of integrated crew management and marine training services to the international shipping industry, have inaugurated an advanced maritime simulation suite in Beihai, China. The new simulation suite will provide advanced, simulation-based training to equip seafarers with the skills needed for the safe adoption of new decarbonisation technologies and will support the transformation of the maritime industry towards sustainability and innovation. The two parties have also signed a framework Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the first Maritime Advancement in Simulation, Technology and R&D Services (MASTERS) programme site in China. The order for the new simulation suite was booked by Wärtsilä in Q3 2025.

The Beihai International Seafarer Training Center (BISTC) represents a key international facility with a special focus on the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region. It features state-of-the-art Wärtsilä marine simulators and specialised training solutions with a focus on cruise ship operations and is a pioneering model for future maritime education and international cooperation. pioneering model for future maritime education and international cooperation.

“Together with Wärtsilä’s expertise and support, we are creating a world-class, international centre of excellence, not merely training seafarers, but preparing them for the future of cruise sector shipping. This involves familiarisation with the coming wave of decarbonisation technologies, including those related to future alternative marine fuels. Ultimately, our aim is to build an innovative, sustainable maritime talent ecosystem,” says Captain WANG Jixuan, Founder/Chairman, Sinocrew Maritime Services.

Beyond providing tailored training courses, technical assistance, and facilitating knowledge sharing, Wärtsilä will further support Sinocrew through comprehensive, long-term service and maintenance contracts. This approach ensures that the centre’s technology remains state-of-the-art, reducing the need for unexpected and costly upgrades.

“The marine industry’s transition to future sustainable fuels and the adoption of new technologies requires a highly skilled workforce. This training centre will be at the forefront of building that competency in a key global shipping region,” comments Johan Ekvall, Director, Simulation & Training – Wärtsilä Marine. “Our cooperation with Sinocrew will help enable the safe adoption of the new technologies that decarbonisation requires. Seafarers trained on Wärtsilä’s high-fidelity simulators will be more proficient in fuel-efficient voyage planning, engine optimisation, and smooth port operations.”

Wärtsilä has developed a strong relationship with Sinocrew for more than a decade. The Beihai project marks the fourth simulator-training project for the two companies, following the installation of Wärtsilä simulators in the Wuhan, Rizhao and Qingdao training centres.