Teekay Shipping Glasgow opened a new, state-of-the-art navigation and cargo operations simulator training centre in Glasgow. Teekay is the world’s second largest independent owner of LNG vessels. Its fleet of 34 vessels, each of which can carry roughly one million metric tonnes of cargo annually, can transport LNG equivalent to about 30% of the UK’s annual energy requirements. Its global gas operations are headquartered in Glasgow.

The new simulator centre will see hundreds of Teekay seafarers a year come to Glasgow to attend intensive courses in ship handling; navigation; bridge teamwork; ship-to-ship interactions; cargo operations, heavy traffic situations, and harsh weather conditions.

The launch event was attended by David Glendinning, President, Teekay Gas Services; Andrew Clifton, Head of SIGTTO; and Commodore Davy Rolle, Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA).Glendinning commented: “We are just now entering the golden age of gas – the global energy of the future. At Teekay we are excited about our future growth opportunities, and ensuring we have an ongoing supply of highly trained seafarers is critical to that success.

“So, I am very proud to attend the opening of the Teekay Glasgow training centre. This is a long-term investment in a world-class training facility with a state-of-the-art simulator that will bring hundreds of seafarers from around the world to Glasgow each year.”

Clifton said, “With a huge increase in the global gas fleet in the next 2-3 years, there is a critical need to invest in training and training facilities. It is to Teekay Glasgow’s great credit that they have done exactly this with this impressive facility. It is a great example to the rest of the industry in how to responsibly address this issue.”

Commodore Rolle added, “It is a great pleasure to visit the global headquarters of Teekay’s LNG fleet operations in Glasgow to support the opening of its simulator training centre. The BMA has always placed great emphasis on safety at sea for which excellent training is the key. I therefore welcome these new state-of- the-art facilities which will undoubtedly put Teekay at the forefront of the LNG industry.”

Another long-term supporter of Teekay in Glasgow is Scottish Enterprise. Its chief executive, Lena Wilson, said, “Scottish Enterprise welcomes the official opening of Teekay’s pioneering new training centre. The expansion of the business at its headquarters in Glasgow shows the quality and strength of the marine industry in Scotland. This move will further boost our reputation as a leader in cargo operations and navigation and is an excellent example of Scotland’s ability to not only attract major global investors but to provide the right conditions to allow them to expand their operations and realise their ambitious growth plans.”