Why Port Training Is Moving Into VR — and How to Build a Simulator That Feels Like the Real Crane

What a Polish maritime university's second VR simulator tells us about the future of crane operator training.

Ports run on machines that are big, expensive and unforgiving. A ship-to-shore (STS) crane does not pause while a trainee figures out the joysticks, and every hour a real crane spends on training is an hour it is not moving containers. That is why more universities, terminals and training centres are turning to virtual reality simulators to prepare the next generation of operators.

A university buys its second VR simulator

As Port Strategy reports, Polish company Flint Systems has commissioned a VR simulator at the Faculty of Transport Engineering and Economics of the Maritime University of Szczecin. The installation was completed in the second half of October 2026 and is the university's second VR simulator from the same supplier. The first, ordered in 2025 by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, covers deck cranes, RTG cranes, working at heights and wind turbine maintenance.

The new system lets students practise on three types of port machinery: ship-to-shore cranes, rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes and mobile harbour cranes. According to the article, exercises "can be repeated without using physical equipment," which reduces "the risks and resource requirements" of training on real machinery.

A repeat purchase is the telling detail. Organisations rarely buy a second simulator unless the first one proved its value.

Why VR fits maritime and port training so well

• Access to equipment. Cranes and gantries are busy earning money. A simulator is available whenever the trainee is.
• Safety. A swinging load, a collision with a stack or a misjudged spreader landing costs nothing in VR.
• Repetition. Smooth hoisting, trolley control and precise placement come from practice, and VR allows unlimited attempts.
• Measurable progress. A simulator logs time, accuracy and errors, so instructors get objective data.
• Speed. In a PwC study, VR learners trained up to 4x faster than in the classroom.

Headset-only isn't enough: the case for real controls

Headsets and handheld controllers are fine for learning layouts and procedures. But operating a crane is a motor skill: the hands learn the feel of real joysticks and switches, and that muscle memory is what transfers to the cab. When the virtual crane is driven by physical controls, training stops being a demonstration and becomes practice.

How BIDON and Industrial Reality Systems build VR simulators

BIDON, a Unity/VR studio working since 2012, builds VR training simulators together with our partner Industrial Reality Systems.

Ports & Cranes module. In our SafetyVR Ports & Cranes module, trainees operate STS, RTG and mobile cranes in realistic terminal conditions: wind, night shifts, load sway and equipment faults. Training never takes a real crane out of service.

Real controls, if you need them. SafetyVR runs on standalone headsets or on hardware-integrated simulators from Industrial Reality Systems with physical joysticks and panels, including an STS ship-to-shore crane simulator.

Every session is recorded. Trainers see who missed a hazard and why, which supports scoring, debriefs and compliance records.

Built on Unity and Unreal. We choose the engine that best fits the project's devices and visual requirements.

Beyond ports. SafetyVR also covers working at height, construction sites and fire safety, and Industrial Reality Systems has built a chainsaw training simulator, showing how the hardware-plus-VR approach carries over to very different equipment.

Pilot in 4–8 weeks. We review your risks and equipment and pick 1–2 priority scenarios, deliver a working pilot on headsets or a simulator with real controls, then look at session data and trainer feedback together before scaling.

We build interactive simulators that trainees operate. We don't produce VR videos or animations.

Watch SafetyVR in action

What to consider before investing in a port VR simulator

1. Which machine and which skills? Start where training time is scarcest or risk is highest.
2. How realistic must the controls be? For motor skills, physical controls are worth it.
3. How will you measure results? Define metrics before development starts.
4. Can you start small? A short pilot proves the value.
5. Will it grow? Make sure new machines and scenarios can be added later.

FAQ

Which cranes can be trained in SafetyVR?

The Ports & Cranes module covers STS, RTG and mobile cranes.

Do we need a full simulator, or are headsets enough?

Both work. Headsets suit procedures and hazard awareness; simulators with physical joysticks and panels from Industrial Reality Systems suit motor-skill training.

What does a pilot include?

1–2 priority scenarios, delivered as a working pilot in 4–8 weeks and run with your crew.

Is training data recorded?

Yes. Every session is recorded for scoring, debriefs and compliance records.

Can scenarios match our terminal?

Yes. We build custom scenarios that match your equipment, layouts and procedures.

The direction is clear

The Szczecin installations are one sign of a wider shift toward immersive, repeatable and measurable training. BIDON was named one of the Top Custom Software Development Companies in 2026 by Techreviewer.co, including for XR training and simulation.

Book a free consultation and a SafetyVR demo

Planning VR training for crane operators or port staff? Write to hello@bidon-gs.com and we'll discuss a 4–8 week pilot built around your machines and procedures.

Source: Port Strategy, "Flint Systems delivers second maritime VR simulator," October 2026.