Successful remote simulation in Port of Rønne

The Port of Rønne has plans for a new port design, so that larger vessels such as cruise ships can dock at the west-facing port on Bornholm. The harbor design was ready to be tested in our ship simulator in Lyngby, so to ensure that all relevant parties had access to watch the simulations, a remote simulation set-up was set up.

“We use the simulations to ensure the quality of the design. In relation to our investments, it is important that what we intend to build works as intended. Hence, we use the simulations to minimise risks,” says Thomas Bendtsen, CEO of Port of Rønne.

Sense the captains' reaction

Thomas Bendtsen participated in the remote simulations together with Port of Rønne's Board, representatives from the shipping company and Niras, who is advisor for Port of Rønne’s project.

“My purpose in participating in the simulations is to ensure that we build the right thing and get good ideas for improvements to the port design. But I must also be able to sense the captains' reactions, and I could easily get that during this remote simulation,” says Thomas Bendtsen.

30 participants in the remote simulation

Pilot Peter Herskind from DanPilot was physically present in the simulator in Lyngby together with FORCE Technology's instructor, Carl Thue Rabjerg. Here, they conducted voyages with several types of vessels, including large cruise ships and vessels used for shipping offshore wind turbines. Meanwhile, about 30 people followed the simulation remotely via Teams.

"It actually worked out pretty well. Once you are in the room, you forget that you are being monitored,” says Peter Herskind, who thinks it was a good opportunity for all stakeholders to follow the test of the new port design.

"When people follow the simulations remotely, they themselves have seen what the basis is for the assessment of what is possible when sailing with large vessels."

The captains of the cruise ships participated remotely from Germany. The captains could follow the simulations and talk directly with the pilot Peter Herskind, while he talked about his plans and actions. During the debriefings, the captains expressed great satisfaction with the system and agreed on the operational limits found in the port design.

The new port design got tested

Port of Rønne found the simulations useful:

“We tested the design and tried some things. In addition, we received good suggestions for improvements, e.g. placement of buoys, guide lights and indication of restrictions that we can expect to occur in the port with the new design. It is valuable knowledge that we can use in our further dialogue with our customers," says Thomas Bendtsen and continues: "Without this remote simulation, we would not have been able to get assurance that the design works. It is of great importance to the port that we can move forward with the construction project.”