Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 20, US classification society ABS has agreed to acquire the MetaSHIP training and simulation platform from Orka Informatics, following the example of Lloyd’s Register, which purchased Ocean Technologies Group in late 2024. The acquisition, pending regulatory approval in Türkiye, includes MetaSHIP’s intellectual property and related simulator assets, and will become part of ABS Training Solutions, expanding its capability to deliver advanced seafarer training globally.

ABS plans to deploy MetaSHIP across its training centres in Qatar, Greece, and Singapore, as well as through remote and on-board programs. The platform provides an immersive, game-based experience focused on the ABS MetaSHIP Fleet, a suite of virtual vessels enabling seafarers to develop operational competence without physically boarding a ship.

“Investment in advanced training that delivers true competence rather than minimum standards is not optional; it’s a strategic imperative for fleet safety and resilience,” said Christopher Wiernicki, ABS chairman and CEO, adding: “The maritime workforce must be ready to manage hybrid systems, evolving safety standards and changing regulations.”

MetaSHIP integrates interactive vessel and port simulations with assessment tools that monitor and evaluate performance. The acquisition also includes ODENES, a platform for tracking training progress and reporting, and a Navigational Skill and Behavioral Assessment module, designed to measure and enhance operational performance.

Levent Şen, MetaSHIP founder, said: “Seeing it evolve into a technology that will now empower seafarers worldwide under ABS’ leadership is incredibly rewarding.” He noted that the project began with the goal of making maritime education more accessible and has now grown into a tool for global workforce development.

To support the expansion, ABS has appointed Campbell Smith as senior vice president of ABS Training Solutions. Smith, joining in November from Maersk Training, brings extensive experience in maritime operations and commercial strategy, including building global training programs and growth frameworks.

The move reflects ABS’s commitment to closing the maritime skills gap amid rapid technological changes, ensuring seafarers are trained to operate modern vessels and comply with evolving safety and environmental standards. By combining advanced simulations with performance assessment, the MetaSHIP platform aims to enhance practical competence, operational efficiency, and safety readiness across the global maritime sector.

With this acquisition, ABS strengthens its position as a leader in digital seafarer training, providing a scalable, high-quality platform for both on-site and remote learning. The integration of MetaSHIP is expected to support fleet safety, resilience, and regulatory compliance, while offering seafarers a modern, immersive training experience adaptable to the growing complexity of maritime operations worldwide.