MMA buys vessel traffic management system

The Malta Maritime Authority has signed a €1.1 million contract with Norwegian company Norcontrol IT for the provision of a vessel traffic management system for use in Malta's waters.

The project, which is jointly financed by the European Union and the MMA, is the first phase of Malta's aim to achieve full coverage of vessel traffic management around its shores and territorial waters, obviously including both Grand Harbour and Marsaxlokk.

It includes installation of a remote radar, a new microwave network and a new VTS centre for the MMA, with delivery scheduled for December 2006.

The networked radar will monitor both port and coastal traffic and will be augmented by VHF radio and AIS (a vessel identification system).

"This system is related to safety as well as to efficiency and will optimise aspects of MMA's operation from the allocation of berths to the navigational systems," regional sales director Steve Guest said.

Once the authority had determined its requirements a few years ago, an EU-wide tender was issued, which generated considerable interest.

To complement the new radar network and communications package, Norcontrol IT's market leading Port Management Information System (PMIS) will assist the MMA manage its resources and provide data for the EU's SafeSeaNet.

The SafeSeaNet is a database of ship movements in EU member states, which is constantly updated.

"There are various elements in the system, but PMIS is the one that will give the authority efficiency. Before leaving its home port, a vessel can use PMIS to book all the services it requires from the planned ports of call. MMA, if it chooses, can also interface PMIS with its own internal systems to handle other aspects like invoicing for berths and waste disposal," Mr Guest explained.

The MMA will now be able to track a vessel's trip until it comes within the range of the AIS system and then use radar, until it enters port. Once there, there are a number of other tools built into Norcontrol's equipment which could be utilised.

"For example, if there is a lane infringement, then this is logged into the system as a multimedia file, which a port authority could then use to take up the matter with the vessel directly or via its next port of call."

Malta provides a range of international maritime services and facilities for international shipping, bunkering, ship supplies and towage services, ship building and ship repair yards, as well as for transhipment and distribution. It also offers a container terminal and oil terminal, a hub for cruise liners, international yacht marinas and an international ship register which is now one of the largest in the world.

"We are very pleased to announce our first major project following our recent acquisition by Kongsberg Defence &

Aerospace," managing director Jan Anders Horntveldt said after the signing of the contract.

"The MMA is a top-class organisation with a long, respected position in the maritime community. Strategically positioned, Malta is extremely important to the EU and Norcontrol IT looks forward to being able to provide the Maltese government with the very best maritime domain awareness solution," Mr Guest said.

"The key to our success is our local partner Medcomms, which will deal with the hardware installation, and whose staff will be trained to look after it."

Norcontrol IT is a new company that resulted from the June 2000 merger between Kongsberg Norcontrol Systems and Control IT, both headquartered outside Oslo, Norway.

Kongsberg Norcontrol Systems brings to the newly merged company more than 120 VTMIS installations and over two decades of expertise and experience as the world's leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of VTMIS solutions.

Control IT adds its strength in the sphere of information technologies and database software development.

Norcontrol IT installations can be found in the world's largest and busiest ports, harbours, and waterways, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Oslo fjord, the Suez Canal, Liverpool and the Straits of Gibraltar.