Facilities

• STAPLA (Port of Ostend): a static platform on which steel coupons and coatings are immersed in untreated seawater for extended periods. This allows chemical, biological, and seasonal fluctuations to be monitored.
• DYPLA (Port of Ostend): a floating platform equipped with a horizontal rotating disc (2.54 m², 18 segments). The disc simulates current velocities of up to 24 knots. Water quality and corrosion rates are continuously measured and transmitted directly to the cloud.
• Mobile monitoring platforms: portable units equipped with LPR corrosion sensors and multiparameter probes for on-site measurements on sheet piling and quay walls. They are currently deployed in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and in Vlissingen.

• Potentiostats (one Gamry and two PalmSens 4 units) for EIS, LPR, and pitting corrosion measurements in accordance with ISO and ASTM standards.
• Unisense microsensors (O₂, pH, H₂S) for mapping the microenvironment beneath biofilms and marine growth.
• Salt fog chamber accelerated ageing testing of coatings and materials.

Antwerp Maritime Academy’s MISSIMLab is one of the most advanced maritime simulation centers in Europe. 

MISSIMLab features an impressive range of infrastructure: AI-supported systems, state-of-the-art bridge and engine room simulators, virtual reality, cloud technology and a specialised cybersecurity simulator, which together create a digital replica of a real maritime environment. This makes it possible to realistically simulate and analyse complete ship operations. 

MISSIMLab is therefore much more than just a collection of simulators. It is an innovative learning, research and testing environment where students, researchers, companies, professionals and public authorities work together on the shipping of tomorrow. The underlying principle is simple: "Simulate before you operate”. By safely simulating realistic situations, new technologies, procedures and training programmes can be tested without putting people, ships or the environment at risk. In addition, MISSIMLab enables its users not only to learn how to navigate, manoeuvre ships, operate engine rooms and perform complex cargo operations, but also to train for specific weather conditions, emergency situations, cyberattacks and other demanding operational scenarios. 

MISSIMLab is a place where ideas grow into concrete applications. In the coming years, the ambition is to develop new products and services, establish co-creation projects with companies and bring innovative solutions directly to the maritime sector. In doing so, the simulation center serves as a bridge between education, scientific research and industry. 

Anyone who chooses a future in the maritime sector today is choosing for much more than sailing alone. Thanks to MISSIMLab, you learn to work with the technologies that will shape the shipping industry of tomorrow. You develop the skills needed to tackle complex challenges, collaborate with experts from different fields and help build a safe, smart and sustainable maritime world. 

• Two Class A full-mission bridge simulators with 360° visualisation (including dynamic positioning) and six Class B bridge simulators.
• One Class A full-mission engine room simulator, connected to real installations.
• Desktop simulators for GMDSS, ECDIS, and liquid cargo handling. These are also available via the cloud.

Funding: Antwerp Maritime Academy, with the support of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Companies and public authorities can use this infrastructure for research and service provision (please contact research@hzs.be).