MarSim, K-Sim and NTPRO: bridge simulators compared
Quick answer: In the bridge simulator market the MarSim family of the Turkish manufacturer SimBT addresses the same requirement as Norway’s Kongsberg K-Sim Navigation and Finland’s Wärtsilä NTPRO 5000 (formerly Transas Navi-Trainer). All three products target STCW training requirements. The clear difference lies in certification visibility: Kongsberg and Wärtsilä document their DNV class certificates publicly, while for MarSim the company reports STCW compliance without naming the certifying body.
Three product families at a glance
The comparison rests on the information on the manufacturers’ public product pages. All three suppliers offer graded configurations reaching from the full mission bridge down to desktop class.
| Item | SimBT MarSim | Kongsberg K-Sim Navigation | Wärtsilä NTPRO 5000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country of manufacture | Turkey (Ankara) | Norway | Finland (Transas legacy) |
| Certification (public) | STCW compliance is a manufacturer statement; body not disclosed | DNV-ST-0033; Class A, B, C | DNV Class A; first Class D for cloud training in 2021 |
| Field of view (full mission) | 225-360 degrees, LED or projector | Up to 360 degrees | Depending on configuration; 360 degrees supported |
| Ship model pool | 40 own ships, more than 100 targets | Large model library (number not given on the product page) | Large model library; TUG, ICE, AHTS notations |
| Tug training | Separate tug simulator | Option within the K-Sim family | Within the scope of the DNV “TUG” notation |
| VR bridge | Separate VR product (SGD in naval service) | No separate VR product highlighted on the product page | Cloud and remote training option (Class D) |
Why does certification visibility matter?
Maritime training centres justify simulator investments to national maritime administrations and against STCW requirements within the IMO framework. DNV’s DNV-ST-0033 standard classifies simulators from Class A (full mission) to Class D, and the two large manufacturers place those certificates at the centre of their marketing. SimBT uses the phrase “holds the STCW training certificate” for its bridge simulator and “conformity with the Class A standard has been approved” for its GMDSS simulator; the certifying body is not officially disclosed for either product. In Turkey the approval of maritime training simulators is handled under the regulations of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure; which national approvals SimBT holds is not listed in public sources.
Strengths and weaknesses
MarSim: a national ship dynamic model, an end-to-end domestic software chain with the SimRealize image generator and the SGD delivery to the Turkish Naval Forces Command are verifiable pluses. Rapid integration of a new ship into the simulator is emphasised by the manufacturer. Against that, international installation references and an independent certification record are not public.
K-Sim Navigation: a Class A/B/C range certified under DNV-ST-0033 and a global service network. Pricing is not public; industry sources describe full mission installations as high budget investments.
NTPRO 5000: a large installed base carried over from the Transas period and the first DNV Class D certificate for cloud-based training, obtained in 2021. Wärtsilä Voyage’s corporate restructurings are noted as a source of uncertainty in the product roadmap.
What it means for the buyer
Public data indicates that MarSim offers an alternative particularly in cost-sensitive projects with a local content requirement, while Kongsberg and Wärtsilä retain their certification advantage in international tenders that make a DNV certificate mandatory. The portable simulator export agreement SimBT announced at IDEF 2023, covered in the references file, is the family’s step towards markets abroad; because the buyer was not disclosed, the market effect cannot yet be measured.
Frequently asked questions
Is MarSim in the same class as K-Sim and NTPRO?
Functionally yes; all three target full mission bridge training. There is a difference in certification: DNV class certificates are public only for the Kongsberg and Wärtsilä products.
Does MarSim have a DNV certificate?
There is no DNV-ST-0033 record in public sources; the company reports STCW compliance. The certifying body is not officially disclosed.
Which one is cheaper?
None of the three manufacturers discloses pricing. SimBT positions its VR-based virtual bridge product as cost advantageous because it requires no physical console; no independent price comparison has been published.
Why does NTPRO carry the Wärtsilä brand?
Transas, which developed the product, was acquired by Wärtsilä in 2018; the simulator is offered today under the Wärtsilä umbrella.
Which product does the Turkish navy use?
According to the SimBT announcement the Turkish Naval Forces Command has used the SGD virtual bridge simulator since the end of 2020. The rest of the navy’s simulator inventory is outside the scope of this file.
Sources and verification note
The comparison rests solely on the manufacturers’ public pages and the documents named; no independent performance test was carried out. Undisclosed data has been marked “Not officially disclosed.” Accessed: August 12, 2026.
- https://www.kongsberg.com/maritime/products/simulation/k-sim-navigation/
- https://www.wartsila.com/marine/products/simulation-and-training/navigational-simulators
- https://www.wartsila.com/media/news/07-07-2021-wartsila-navigational-simulator-becomes-first-interactive-instructor-led-cloud-training-solution-to-gain-new-dnv-class-d-certification-2944557
- https://tcsavant.com/en/simulators/navi-trainer-professional-ntpro-5000/
- https://www.simbt.com.tr/urunler/denizcilik-simulasyon-ve-simulator-urun-ailesi/
