Navigating difficult waters

The RTM will showcase US port sector best practices and technologies, including Vessel Traffic Management Systems, Integrated Port Communications Information Systems and port security and surveillance technology, through site visits and meetings with US firms and operations in the ports sector. But would such RTM be beneficial for businesses across the US? In principle yes it would be but this particular RTM has been planned for a long time and has been delayed several times by the USTDA, therefore it makes you wonder if such an ‘investment’ is still achievable and necessary for both parties. The items on the programme are a necessity to improve security and safety. These items have to be implemented as soon as possible and in an ‘ideal world’ shouldn’t be delayed. For example Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VTMS) is something high on the safety priority list of the Government of Morocco, due to an increase in cargo vessels calling at their ports. Back in September 2009 the Government of Morocco issued a tender for a Ports Vessel Traffic Management and Security and Surveillance Systems feasibility study, partly financed by the USTDA, and for the Ports of Casablanca and Safi, which have been identified as priority projects by the Agence Nationale des Ports (ANP).  According to ANP the addition of a VTMS/security system, as part of their ongoing efforts to increase the efficiency, safety and marketability of their ports, is a must to become a major hub in the Mediterranean region. According to the tender, Morocco’s 33 ports, of which 12 are open to international commerce, handled 76.8m tonnes (41.7m tonnes import, 26.2m tonnes export and 8.9m tonnes trans-shipment through Tangier Med). In 2008, all Moroccan ports under direct supervision of ANP, with the exception of Tangier Med, handled 815,000 TEU in container throughput, which is an increase of 12.6% from 2008. Casablanca handled 86% of container traffic and Safi handled 5m tonnes of general cargo, which represent 6% of total traffic. Overall, 98% of Morocco’s trade originates through its ports. Therefore ANP has taken it upon itself to start awarding contracts to other non-US firms to start work on their VTMS plans as it can not afford to wait until an accident happens. In September, Transas Marine in cooperation with its local partner Soremar announced it completed 2 VTS installations in the ports of Agadir and Nador. Both systems successfully passed acceptance tests and fully comply with the requirements set by ANP. The VTS systems supplied will enable operators to monitor all vessels’ activities in the area. The scope of supply in each port included an operator workstation, a high performance Shore-Based Radar in redundant configuration, 2 CCTV Systems with thermal imaging, AIS Base station, a Voice Communication System with 3 VHF and 1 HF stations, Direction Finder and Weather Station. The solution also includes a remote terminal in ANP offices. In addition, Transas Marine specialists carried out comprehensive operational and maintenance training for operators and technicians at both sites. The success of the project became possible due to cohesive actions of Transas Marine and Soremar.  In total, Transas Marine has now commissioned five Vessel Traffic Management Systems in Morocco including previously installed systems in Mohammedia, Tanger and Jorf Lasfar. Often with these kinds of projects it would be beneficial to work with one supplier, which would make it more difficult for others to enter an arena that – in this case – is well-known to Transas both in system infrastructure, scale and complexity and knowledge of the local market. The latter has also contributed to the success of a contract that was awarded by the Libyan Ports and Maritime Transport Authority (PMTA) to Transas Marine. The VTMS contract include the supply and installation of a Coastal Surveillance System and was signed on 14th October in Tripoli, Libya during a signing ceremony attended by Capt Hannibal Mouamar Gaddafi and Dr Mohammed Sweidan, the Libyan Minister of Transportation. The system will provide total coverage of the entire Libyan coast, which is almost 2,000km – from Tunisia to Egypt, as well as areas of responsibility of the 15 main ports in Libya. The project includes a combination of 15 local VTS incorporated under management of two National Control Centres in Tripoli and Benghazi, which perform vessel traffic and coastal surveillance services. In addition, 8 remote sites will also form part of this solution. The newly released Transas Navi-Harbour 4.3 software, being at the heart of the project, will ensure continuous surveillance of the territorial waters, safety of navigation, reduction of illegal immigration and protection of the marine environment. Significant qualitative improvements in Libyan ports’ operations, service and traffic management are on their way. This sophisticated infrastructure will reinforce the implementation of port operations management with an aim to be in full compliance with Part B of the ISPS Code. The Libyan VTMS project represents a significant success for Transas Marine, and the end result will be one of the most modern and powerful coastal surveillance systems installed by the company. The plan also incorporates further coverage as an extension to this system, by adding additional sites in the future.