What’s Transforming Harbour Pilot Training?

Kongsberg Digital and PSA Marine Pte. Ltd. have entered into a strategic collaboration to enhance maritime harbour pilot training, leveraging simulation technology to equip PSA Marine’s harbour pilots with advanced skills to navigate the growing complexities of maritime operations, including autonomous ships and sustainable propulsion systems.

Headquartered in Singapore, PSA Marine provides integrated marine services which are primarily pilotage and towage services, catering to the ports and terminals, oil and gas, shipping, and renewable energy sectors. The company provides essential pilotage service to more than 180,000 vessels annually in the Port of Singapore, ranked as the world's busiest container transhipment hub.

As the maritime industry has evolved with larger vessels, new sustainable propulsion systems, and tighter safety and environmental regulations, PSA Marine recognized the need for advanced training to keep ahead of the changes while ensuring greater precision and navigational safety. The partnership between PSA Marine and Kongsberg Digital plays a pivotal role in this agenda. The Norwegian company, with an office in Singapore, already has a good footprint in the area with prominent organizations utilizing its simulators such as the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Singapore Police Coast Guard (SPCG), Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA) and Center of Excellence of Maritime Safety (CEMS). Together, these companies form a ecosystem of KONGSBERG users, which, with experience and research, will lead the change towards a safer and greener maritime future.

PSA Marine is fortifying its training infrastructure with the installation of advanced simulators from Kongsberg Digital in April 2025. The simulator suite will include a Full Mission Bridge Simulator and a Full Mission Tug Bridge Simulator (Both Class A). These systems would immerse the PSA Marine harbour pilots in hyper-realistic environments, tailored to Singapore’s unique maritime conditions, enabling them to practice critical scenarios such as navigating dense traffic, managing new vessel types, and responding to emergencies. This will help to elevate PSA Marine’s pilotage capabilities, reinforcing its commitment to maximize port productivity in the Port of Singapore.

Are Føllesdal Tjønn, Managing Director of Maritime Simulation at Kongsberg Digital, stated: “Our simulation technology bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical expertise, preparing PSA Marine’s harbour pilots to excel in an evolving industry. Together, we will gain experience and set a new benchmark for maritime pilot training and innovation.”