A scaled ship model will be added to Warsash Maritime Academy’s fleet this week.
The scaled container vessel replicates a real 13,300 Twenty foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) container ship that is the most widely used container ship trading globally by major shipping companies.
An artist impression of the Warsash Maritime Academy scaled container ship
The full size container ship is 365 metres long, has 108,000 horse power, a single propeller and powerful bow thrusters. The 1:25 scaled model is 14.62 metres long and weighs 12.5 tonnes.
The model has a single propeller, two operational power anchors, electric hydraulic steering and propulsion controls located in an enclosed bridge structure.
It will be the first container ship to join the existing fleet at Southampton Solent University’s Ship Handling Centre when it is officially launched at a special ceremony on Thursday (May 16).
Industry leaders, dignitaries and university staff will be present at the launch and naming ceremony which will be presided over by Admiral Lord West of Spithead, at the Centre in Timsbury, near Romsey.
Andrew Hair, Director of Warsash Maritime Academy said they had invested in its facilities to extend their training capability to operators of container ships.
“Our extensive fleet, expert teaching staff and unique bespoke training facilities, reaffirms the reputation of the Academy’s Ship Handling Centre as one of the best in the world,” he added.
“As the models handle the same way as a real ship, they give experienced seafarers the opportunity to train around slow speed control, practising complex and potentially hazardous manoeuvres. The training builds understanding of the behaviour of ships, which is essential to develop skills in their everyday work situation.”