Gibraltar | October 15, 2025 – Building on their strategic partnership, Peninsula and the University of Gibraltar have launched the Peninsula Maritime Simulation Suite, a high-tech training facility funded by the global bunker supplier. This significant investment is designed to revolutionize cadet education and professional development, with a critical focus on the operational complexities of the future multi-fuel landscape.
The suite not only fulfills mandatory UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) training requirements but also firmly establishes Gibraltar as a rising global hub for maritime excellence and training.
Advancing Bunkering Skills and Compliance
The core value of the new facility for the bunkering and shipping industry is its focus on modern fuel operations. The suite features a Part Task Navigational Bridge Simulator that is fully compliant with the MCA’s updated sea-time equivalency requirements.
Crucially, the facility is equipped to offer tailored training modules for Peninsula officers and crew, including essential instruction on LNG bunkering scenarios and other complex operations. This capability directly addresses the industry’s acknowledged skills gap in handling alternative marine fuels, ensuring seafarers are prepared for the green transition.
John A. Bassadone, Founder and CEO of Peninsula, commented “We are proud to support the development of Gibraltar’s maritime future. This investment not only ensures our own seafarers receive world-class training locally, but also reinforces Gibraltar’s position as a centre of maritime excellence underpinned by state-of-the-art training facilities.”
A Regional Game-Changer
The simulation suite utilizes technology from Wärtsilä, a global leader in maritime simulation, making it the only facility of its kind in the region. This gives the University of Gibraltar a competitive edge in attracting international talent and developing industry-ready professionals for the expanding global fleet.
Aaron Lopez, Head of the University of Gibraltar’s Maritime Academy, added “The Peninsula Maritime Simulation Suite is a game-changer for our cadets and the wider maritime sector. It allows us to deliver high-impact, cost-effective training aligned with industry needs, while also attracting international talent to Gibraltar.”
The suite supports the University’s broader vision of establishing a world-class Maritime Simulation Centre, expanding the reach of its BSc (Hons) Maritime Science and Cadetship programme, and enabling cadets to progress toward their Certificate of Competence as Officers of the Watch.
Commitment to Industry-Aligned Education
This collaboration expands on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year and exemplifies a shared industry commitment to:
- Supporting excellence in education aligned with the growing technical demands of the bunkering and shipping sectors.
- Enhancing Gibraltar’s status as a vital maritime training hub on the key East-West shipping route.
- Developing training capacity for the safe handling of alternative fuels like LNG, future-proofing maritime operations.
University of Gibraltar
The University of Gibraltar (UniGib) is a young, public higher education institution, established in 2015, that provides UK-aligned and globally accredited degrees, notably recognized by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
Leveraging its strategic location at the entrance to the Mediterranean, the university’s Maritime Academy is a key focus, offering the MCA-approved BSc (Hons) Maritime Science with Cadetship programme. This programme directly addresses the industry’s need for qualified seafarers by integrating practical training and guaranteed placements with academic rigour, positioning UniGib as a vital Centre of Maritime Excellence and a hub for future-proofing the maritime workforce, particularly in alternative fuels like LNG.
About Peninsula
Peninsula is a global leader in the supply of marine fuels and a trusted partner to over 2,000 customers worldwide. With an international network of offices and operations in all major world ports, the company delivers marine energy solutions through multiple physical supply stations and a comprehensive global trading network, performing over 25,000 deliveries per year. Peninsula has recently expanded its physical supply network into strategic hubs including Abu Dhabi, Jebel Ali, and Houston, ensuring greater flexibility and reliability for customers.
Peninsula is a strong advocate of maritime decarbonisation, actively supporting the journey to net zero by 2050. It has incorporated LNG and Biofuels into its product range and is actively exploring other alternative fuel options. Through initiatives like active participation in industry working groups such as ISO 8217, Peninsula is at the forefront of alternative fuel development and bunker quality standards. The company remains fully aligned with regulatory frameworks such as FuelEU Maritime and the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), assisting customers in navigating compliance while achieving their own decarbonisation goals. – Peninsula – Energy Flowing
Source Peninsula