University students with aspirations of careers in the complex field of geodesy and geoinformatics – a modern form of surveying – are enhancing their understanding of navigation thanks to a partnership with maritime digital learning specialist Mintra.

The company has donated 26 Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems  licenses to provide practical training for students taking the Navigation in Hydrography module offered as part of the Geomatics/Geodesy master’s degree at Hafencity University, Hamburg.

By using the state-of-the-art Raytheon Anschütz ECDIS NX – just one of the type-specific ECDIS courses offered by Mintra as part of its maritime offering – students can learn how to apply the theoretical knowledge developed in the classroom.

This is one of two relationships that Mintra has with universities in Germany: the other is in Bremen and also involves supporting students with ECDIS learning. Prof Capt Ralph Becker-Heins – the founder of Safebridge which was acquired by Mintra in 2021 – previously lectured in ECDIS and navigation in both schools.

Mintra has been keen to maintain links with the universities to help develop the skills of the next generation of seafarers entering the maritime industry. Product assistant Andri Anastasiou said: “We are proud to be able to support the seafarers of tomorrow with best-in-class training at this early stage of their careers.

“We hope the students enjoy the benefits of using this market-leading ECDIS training as part of their course. Our ECDIS elearning courses are used by seafarers around the world to develop their knowledge of navigation, so what the students are using during their study is exactly the same as they would experience outside the classroom.”

The degree course centres on the science of recording, administering, analysing and presenting geospatial data and processes, dealing with the structures of our living spaces and economic areas. It covers an area ranging from geoscience to engineering and social sciences culminating in environmental sciences, land management and spatial planning.

The very broad education offered through the degree means that students who successfully complete it can go on to develop careers in a wide range of professions across the maritime industry. ECDIS was introduced as an alternative to paper charts around 20 years ago and is essential for the safe navigation of all sizes of vessels.

Marcus Wöster, lecturer at Hafencity University, said: “The donation of the ECDIS licenses means that, during lectures, elements of ECDIS are not only covered in theory but can be demonstrated live to the students and tried out by the students themselves. This process improves the learning outcome and is a more varied form of lecture.

“We would like to thank Mintra for this donation, which provides access to an excellent training system for our students.”