NEWS

Port of Koper: Training and Safety with the PSA Genova Pra’ Simulator


The Simulator is a first step towards understanding and learning how to operate complex machinery, as well as in training for extreme weather conditions.

img


It was in 1993 when the PSA Genova Pra' terminal, then known as VTE, began training operators who, a few months later, would conduct yard operations and operate quay cranes. The choice fell on the world's largest terminal operator, the PSA Group, and its gigantic terminal in Singapore.

Forty newly hired young men and women spent seven weeks training at the world's most famous port: among the training tools, of course, was the simulator.
From this experience, the Genova Pra’ (former VTE) terminal gained the awareness that equipping itself with cutting-edge technology for training was an opportunity; the company was the first to acquire a simulator for the operation and management of quay cranes.
In the world of port operations, safety and efficiency are paramount, and it is essential to ensure that quay crane operators are adequately trained and ready to handle complex situations safely and efficiently.

img


Nowadays, the PSA Genova Pra’ simulator for operating quay cranes is a highly precise hardware equipped with one of the latest simulation software, offering a realistic virtual environment that allows operators to gain practical experience without any safety risks. Through detailed simulations, operators can practice a wide range of scenarios, including heavy loads, adverse weather conditions, and delicate maneuvers, thereby improving their precision and timeliness in daily operations.

For this reason, on May 10, 2024, a delegation from the Port of Koper visited our PSA Italy terminal in Genova Pra’. Koper is Slovenia's main access point to the sea and a major crossroads and logistics hub for trade with the Balkans, Central and Eastern Europe, and is investing in technologies and services to stay at the forefront of its sector.

img


After a brief information session conducted by engineer Guido Patrone, Prevention and Protection Service Manager of the Terminal, the delegation experienced the simulator with PSA Italy’s Safety Officer & Safety Training Supervisor Andrea Stagnaro, along with QHSE Instructor Andrea Baima and Anselmo Marcenaro and Elisa Costa from the Ops Support department.

img


The group continued the visit in the ROS-Remote Operation System room, which is the remote driving station. They engaged with Marco Pitto, head of the automation and remote driving project for railway Transtainers from the Engineering department of PSA Genova Pra’, and collaborated with QHSE Instructor Andrea Baima regarding the training methods provided to the terminal staff.

img


Training is a crucial aspect for all companies: the delegation from the Port of Koper is interested in enhancing this aspect, also by leveraging the expertise of the safety and training department at PSA Italy's Genova Pra’ terminal.

The delegation from the Port of Koper, consisting of Matic Leskovec, Sergej Dodič, Štravs Klemen, Dejan Dražić, Vojko Rotar, Likar Tilen, Nikol Bellina, and Operation Manager Jasmin Omanovic, was welcomed by PSA Italy’s Safety Officer & Safety Training Supervisor Andrea Stagnaro, along with engineer Guido Patrone, RSPP of the Terminal, Andrea Baima, QHSE Instructor, and Stefano Santelli from the CSR department.

img


Safety is at the core of every port operation: the quay crane simulator allows operators to experience emergency situations in a controlled environment, preparing them to respond promptly and safely in case of accidents or critical situations. This preventive training helps reduce the risk of workplace accidents and protects the lives of operators and the safety of the handled goods.
Besides safety, operational efficiency is crucial for port competitiveness: the simulator enables operators to enhance their skills and increase productivity, continuously improving their abilities and adapting to new technologies, including the automation of some high-risk processes.