15 December 2015, Egersund, Norway:
The Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) has initiated the first
full-scale trial of e-navigation in Norwegian waters in conjunction with
NAVTOR, a global leader in e-navigation technology and services. The
test sees the ferry MS Stavangerfjord digitally sharing its routing
information with NCA via NAVTOR’s NavStation, the world’s first ‘digital
chart table’.
The project
focuses on the way NCA receives vessel data. Until now, ships had to
contact the authority via maritime VHF radio to verbally communicate
routing information before both departure and arrival. NCA could then
update vessel navigators on traffic and advise of any necessary changes
in speed or routing.
However,
NavStation – unique software that gathers all the information navigators
need into a single interface – allows the authority and vessel to work
together as one, seamlessly transferring information and enhancing
maritime safety, efficiency and control.
Bjørn Åge
Hjøllo, Project Development Manager at NAVTOR, explains: “Through the
use of NavStation, both Stavangerfjord and the NCA’s shipping control
centre in Kvitsøy, Rogaland, have access to identical digital chart
information. The vessel sends its sailing data automatically,
eliminating any risk of communication misunderstandings, and the centre
receives this accurate data instantaneously, allowing it to approve, or
if necessary adjust, the route.
“For the vessel
it offers increased efficiency and a real simplicity of service, while
the NCA gets the information it needs to effectively monitor and control
traffic. This is a perfect demonstration of the ability of
e-navigation, making life significantly easier, safer and more efficient
for navigators and land-based decision makers.”
Stavangerfjord
is owned by Norwegian shipping firm Fjordline and sails the popular
Bergen-Stavanger-Hirtshals (Denmark)-Langesund return route. The trial
is being undertaken in partnership with Kongsberg Maritime and
subsidiary Kongsberg Norcontrol IT, which worked with NAVTOR to deliver
the ship and shore-based software solutions.
Willy Zeiler,
Marketing Manager at NAVTOR, says the initiative shows how maritime
communication is evolving, moving from the verbal to digital transferal
of data. He adds: “Awareness of e-navigation’s huge potential is growing
everyday. The industry is waking up to see its clear benefits for
enabling safer and more efficient shipping worldwide.
“That’s our
principal focus at NAVTOR. We are committed to developing technology and
services that simplify complicated tasks and produce better operational
results. This project will help us, and our partners, demonstrate the
tangible benefits this innovative approach provides.”
NAVTOR already has a successful working relationship with NCA, having partnered with the organisation on the SESAME (Secure, Efficient
and Safe Maritime Traffic Management in the Straits of Malacca and
Singapore) e-navigation project since 2012.
The firm
launched the NavStation software to the market in 2014. Available on
touch screen devices and standard computers, the software gathers
and overlays an array of information for navigators on a single screen
for the very first time. These ‘layers’ of information include ENCs,
weather data, tidal information, digital publications, and other
services such as passage planning and route monitoring.
Project fact file:
Partners –
NAVTOR, NCA, Kongsberg Maritime and Kongsberg Norcontrol IT. Kongsberg
Maritime worked with NAVTOR on the vessel delivery, while Kongsberg
Norcontrol IT partnered the firm on the development of the NCA’s
land-based solution.
Vessel – Fjordline’s MS Stavangerfjord. The vessel is 170m long with a capacity for 1,500 passengers and 600 vehicles.
About NAVTOR
NAVTOR is a
market leader in the provision of innovative e-navigation solutions,
services and technology for the maritime sector. All of NAVTOR’s
products and services are developed in line with the company philosophy
of simplifying tasks, increasing efficiency and improving operations.
Through the application of cutting edge digital technology, NAVTOR’s
team makes life easier for navigators, and safer, clearer and more
efficient for shipowners and operators.
The firm was
established in 2011 and is headquartered in Egersund, Norway, with
subsidiaries in St Petersburg, Russia (NAVTOR Russia LLC), Singapore
(NAVTOR Singapore Ltd. Ptd.) and Japan (NAVTOR Japan K.K.).
