Digital learning specialist Mintra has won a raft of new contracts that will deliver safety-critical training courses to over 3,000 international seafarers. The announcement comes just weeks after the company launched a major expansion of its maritime-specific eLearning library, which has seen the number of course titles increase from 107 to 238.

Contracts have been secured with seven new clients based across Europe and Asia, including a company operating drill ships for oil and gas exploration in the Red Sea and a centre specialising in the training of rescue craft crew.

The new library is part of a concerted drive by Mintra to extend its footprint in the maritime sector, where it believes its technology and solutions can lead the digital transformation of the industry.

“There has been an incredibly positive reaction to our new and expanded maritime eLearning library,” said Mintra maritime team lead Jorunn Eldøy. “These latest contract wins are a testament to our commitment to developing viable, cost-effective solutions that allow our clients to create safe and competent crews.

“Maritime, along with energy, has always been Mintra’s main customer base but in the past 12 months we have seen a significant increase in demand from current and new shipping clients. They understand that we have knowledge and expertise gained by working with digitally mature industries and can help them transition towards a future where digitisation and automation of operations are the norm.”

Developed in partnership with operators and subject matter experts to address the core training needs of seafarers, the maritime library is delivered through Mintra’s cloud-based learning management system, Trainingportal.

Trainingportal also comes in an offline version, which has been designed specifically for vessels that are continually moving in and out of connectivity. This enables crews to access and undertake eLearning courses at any time, even when no internet is available.

One of the most popular courses purchased by the group of new clients is Cyber Security Awareness Training – guidance to increase knowledge of digital threats and how to minimise risks to vessels – which will be rolled out to 2,200 seafarers.

There has been an increased focus on cyber security following new regulations issued by the International Maritime Organization that require shipping companies to focus on cyber risk management. It is anticipated the regulations, which came into force in January this year, will be the first of many cyber-related guidelines to be issued by the IMO.

Ms Eldøy added: “Our customers are not only looking to us to provide the digital solutions that will enable them to undertake more efficient and sustainable operations in the future, but also the training that allows their people to gain the knowledge required for this new way of working.”