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New partnerships strengthen WinGD’s global training network


The appointment of two new WinGD training partners will provide easier access to high quality training for ship operators and crews.

Strategically chosen for their high qualifications and location in prime maritime geographical areas, WinGD has signed agreements with Giga Mare Inc. in the Philippines, and BlackSea Training in the Ukraine.

By partnering with these training facilities in these key global locations, WinGD extends their services offered to ship owners in support of their low-speed dual-fuel and diesel engines.

“The appointment of Giga Mare and Black Sea Training as official WinGD engine training partners is an important step in our plan to provide the highest level of training and support for operators of our engines on both a global and a local basis. With these key partnerships, we ensure that training programmes for engines developed by WinGD can be accessed where it is most convenient for the end users of our engines, reducing and in some cases eliminating the costs and hassle of travel.” Said Rudolf Holtbecker, Operations Director for WinGD.

High quality training is essential to ensure that ship operators can truly optimize their vessels’ performance. With a deeper understanding of the main engine and its applied technologies, through comprehensive training, operators and supervisors of various levels are able to enhance the performance of the engine room by increasing its efficiency and reliability to reduce maintenance costs and lower emission levels.

“WinGD Training Partners are carefully chosen based on their ability to deliver the high-quality training our customers expect from WinGD,” continues Holtbecker. “This involves the capability to explain the theory and functionality of the dual-fuel X-DF, Generation X and RT-flex engines, as well as practicing real-life scenarios using our W-Xpert engine simulation software or the Full Mission Simulator hardware.”

To achieve this high standard of teaching competence, all Training Partners participate in WinGD’s “Train-the-Trainer” programme and have full access to the WinGD training resources and state-of-the-art simulation software developed by WinGD as used in the WinGD Training Centres.

Jari Ullakonoja, President & CEO at GigaMare, commented on the new partnership: “We are proud to be one of WinGD’s inaugural Training Partners and are confident we can fulfil expectations. We have extensive experience with both two and four-stroke marine engines and our key location and excellent existing training facilities, means we can offer top quality training to WinGD’s customers.”

Valeriy Pushchin, Managing Director of BlackSea Training added; “Offering WinGD training programmes in the Ukraine means that we are reaching a significant population of crew managers and seafarers, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed in today’s vessels.”

These Training Partnerships complement the existing training services offered by WinGD, at their training facilities in:

  • Winterthur, Switzerland, Company Headquarters
  • Busan, Korea
  • Shanghai, China
  • Athens, Greece

Winterthur Gas & Diesel (WinGD)
WinGD (Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd.) is a leading developer of two-stroke low-speed gas and diesel engines used for propulsion power in merchant shipping. WinGD sets the industry standard for reliability, safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability. WinGD provides designs, training and technical support to engine manufacturers, shipbuilders and ship operators worldwide. Headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, since its inception as the Sulzer Diesel Engine business in 1893, it carries on the legacy of excellence in design.

For more information visit: www.wingd.com

GigaMare Inc.
GigaMare Inc. was established 15th of April 2013 acquiring Wärtsilä Corporation’s training infrastructure in Subic; continuing the company’s operations in the Philippines. Our mission is to provide innovative and high quality products and services leading to safe and efficient operations for maritime, offshore, oil & gas, energy, and mining segments. The company offers environmental and economic training solutions for improving the human factor, aided by performance gap analysis. A unique hands-on academy offers close to real-life experience in operating, repairing, and maintaining equipment, as well as shipboard simulators.

BlackSea Training Ltd
Founded in 2018, BlackSea Training Ltd. provides full mission engine room simulator (FMS) training as the authorized partner in the Ukraine for WinGD engines.  Training includes LNG as fuel specific training for LNG vessels, customer specific training e.g. Heavy Lift cargo operations, generic STCW training course e.g. IGF Code training, ECDIS.

BlackSea Training Ltd. is part of the Nordic Hamburg group which provides full ship management service through the branch office Nordic Hamburg Shipmanagement in Odessa.