Transas has signed a contract with the Lerwick Port Authority to install a new Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) to cover Lerwick Harbour, in Shetland.
It will replace Lerwick Harbour's existing system.
Lerwick is a major commercial port in Britain, strategically situated at the crossroads of the North Sea and North-East Atlantic. Handling more than 5,000 vessel arrivals, totalling over 12,000,000 gross tonnes, annually, the deep-water port's users include fishing, oil and gas support, cargo, sailing, ferries and cruises.
The new VMS will be based on the high-end Navi-Harbour software solution from Transas. Hardware equipment scope consists of Class A AIS Transponders, Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine Vision Master radars, a Jotron VHF Communication System, Gill Meteorological sensors, general IT hardware platform and an APC Power Backup System. This will be installed across four sites covering the port's area: the main port operations building and three remote stations.
As part of the project Port Control will be fully renovated, and Transas will provide the client with Operator Training Course and Maintenance Service Plan.
The Port Authority's deputy harbourmaster, Captain Alexander Simpson, said, "The new system will modernise Lerwick Harbour's monitoring system, improving real-time information available to the controllers handling shipping movements and the navigational assistance provided by Port Control. The investment is another important step in our ongoing development programme which is adding to the port's capacity and competitiveness."
The project, costing around £450,000, including the Transas contract, telecommunications and civil works, is scheduled to be fully completed and delivered by May 2016.
