Watch the brand new reveal trailer here
Paderborn, Germany, 9th April 2026: Aerosoft and SWE Systems today unveiled Professional Ship Simulator, a large-scale maritime simulation for PC, alongside a brand-new gameplay trailer showcasing its deep, system-driven approach to realistic ship handling and operations. Designed for simulation enthusiasts and professionals alike, the title will deliver a highly detailed and uncompromising maritime experience, where precision, planning, and technical understanding are essential. Moving beyond simplified, arcade-style gameplay, the simulator focuses on authentic ship systems, real-world navigation challenges, and true-to-life physics.
Previously known as NauticXP, Professional Ship Simulator represents a significant evolution in both scope and vision, with its new title reflecting a clear commitment to authenticity, depth, and professional-grade simulation.
At the game’s core is an advanced hydrodynamic simulation model, where vessels are affected by wind, waves, currents, bank effects, and propulsion forces such as propeller torque. Ships respond dynamically to their environment, requiring players to carefully manage speed, positioning, and maneuvering in both open waters and dense harbor environments.
Players take full control through fully interactive cockpits and extensive input support, with over 100 configurable buttons, multiple control axes, and flexible setups ranging from keyboard and gamepad to specialised simulation hardware. Every onboard system is simulated in detail, including radar with AIS/CPA tracking, sonar, power management, and radio communication, allowing for a deeply immersive and technical experience.
Set across large-scale environments based on real-world data, Professional Ship Simulator currently features the detailed maritime regions around the Island of Rügen and the Strait of Dover, complete with thousands of authentic seamarks, navigation aids, and over 40 harbors. Dynamic weather systems, real-time conditions, and dense AI traffic ensure that no two journeys are ever the same, with changing sea states directly impacting ship handling and operational decision-making.
Players can command a diverse fleet of vessels, including a tugboat, fishing trawler, a rescue ship and even large-scale commercial vessels including a container ship, bulk carrier, LNG tanker, and cruise ship. Through structured missions and sandbox gameplay, players can also take on a wide range of professional activities such as cargo transport, offshore logistics, towing operations, rescue missions and ferry tasks.
The collaboration between SWE Systems and Aerosoft brings together deep technical expertise and established publishing know-how, marking Aerosoft’s first dedicated step into maritime simulation and expanding its portfolio beyond its well-known aviation products and transport titles.
Beyond its core simulation, Professional Ship Simulator plans to offer extensive customisation and expansion tools as it develops during Early Access as modding is planned for the game. At launch, NMEA and GPX data will allow for advanced external integration and personalised navigation experiences, whilst players can also look forward to modding later in the roadmap, where they will then be able to create their own harbor environments, design ships, and build custom scenarios using integrated editors. Professional Ship Simulator is scheduled to launch in Early Access on Steam for PC in 2026.
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About Aerosoft:
Aerosoft GmbH was founded in 1991 at Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport and develops add-on software for Microsoft Flight Simulator. From 2002 onwards, add-ons for Train Simulator were also developed. Since 2007, Aerosoft has expanded its spectrum to include other simulations, including On the Road, OMSI 2, Autobahn Police Simulator and City Bus Manager. In 2016, Aerosoft published the two successful simulators Fernbus Coach Simulator in cooperation with FlixBus and Emergency Call 112 - The Fire Fighting Simulation. Aerosoft is also responsible for the flight simulators Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and XPlane 12 exclusively in Europe. With over 40 permanent employees, Aerosoft GmbH is one of the leading software publishers in the field of traffic simulations worldwide.
For more information, visit their official website
About SWE Systems:
SWE Systems was founded in 2005 and focuses on embedded electronics and custom software development for small-batch and specialized applications. In 2024, the company expanded into PC simulation development, building on its technical expertise to create reliable and performance-oriented simulation software. Now, the studio is preparing to launch Professional Ship Simulator (ex NauticXP) set to launch on Early Access for Steam on PC in 2026.