Just Transition Fund award underpins £850,000 investment in Scottish Maritime Academy

September 8, 2026

North East Scotland College has been awarded £600,000 by the Scottish Government to create a cutting-edge simulator suite at the Scottish Maritime Academy in Peterhead.

The successful bid for backing from the Just Transition Fund for the North East and Moray was announced at Holyrood yesterday (1 September).

The Scottish Government contribution will cover the majority of the costs of the ambitious project, with a further £250,000 of investment to come from the College’s capital budget.

The creation of the £850,000 facility will involve the reconfiguration of part of the SMA’s well-established centre, overlooking Peterhead port.

New immersive technology from international specialists Wartsila will be installed – providing maritime students with opportunity to hone their skills on the bridge in a setting that replicates some of the world’s busiest shipping environments.

The suite will provide new functionality aligned with modern vessels, including dynamic positioning, and will incorporate three simulators that can be used independently or collectively – allowing for vessel interactions between individual users and providing a safe learning environment to experience the type of challenging and high-risk scenarios that seafarers experience on a daily basis.

Duncan Abernethy, Assistant Principal Curriculum and Commercial Development at NESCol, said: “The maritime sector is hugely important to the future prosperity of the North East, having been at the heart of the region’s success for generations.

“The Merchant Navy fleet, with such valuable experience supporting oil and gas production, is already pivotal to the North Sea’s transition, most notably in offshore wind development and maintenance, and that role will continue to grow and evolve.

“The Scottish Maritime Academy has a central role to play in training new entrants to the workforce. We also continue work closely with our industry partners to ensure the ongoing development of those already experienced at sea, ensuring proficiency and safety.

“This investment in the latest simulator technology will enable us to build on the strong foundations in place at the SMA and future-proof a centre that has such a proud and strong track record. We’re delighted the Scottish Government has seen the value in this project and look forward to delivering on behalf of the communities and employers we serve.”

NESCol is one of Scotland’s largest providers of vocational education, catering for 6,000 full-time students each year and around 20,000 students across all modes of study.

The SMA is one of four main campuses operated by the College and is home to students from across Scotland and beyond. Bridge simulators, radio rooms and other industry standard facilities provide a hub for shipping companies and individuals operating in everything from oil and gas and offshore renewables to transport, tourism and fishing.