The 3D VTS module is in fact a Pilots “HUD” (Head up Display) of the future, supporting his critical role in the safe passage of the vessel whilst in pilotage waters: this is a first step in fact towards additional shore-based situation awareness support to Pilots and Masters. Technology is now reaching a level where some of this data can be transferred directly to pilots based on their specific real-time requirements. A simulated 3D VTS picture is based on real-time VTMS data and enables the VTS operator to observe the navigation situation from variety of different perspectives: from the viewpoint of the ship’s navigator and pilot or in a so called “flight mode”. Position, direction, zoom, height and tilt of the camera can be changed to enable better overview of the area. A simulated model based on data from AIS sensors is displayed on the VTS operator’s monitor. This functionality is also ideal for incident analysis and debriefing via a visual aid based on real data and switching of viewpoints surrounding the incident. The operator therefore has a tool maximally adjusted to perception of the world as seen from the people he is monitoring and assisting – the ship’s bridge officers and pilot. This enhanced situation awareness will be particularly effective in situations of limited or restrained visibility, providing the decision-makers onboard with additional shore side support. In addition, cross checking of sensor data reliability with a visual reference representation will further enhance the overall picture of a maneuver as it progresses. Professional support to mariners, VTS operators and pilots has always been the ultimate goal of all developments carried out by Transas. 3D VTS assists navigators through comprehensive technology and allows to reduce workload.
Mundra Port and SEZ Ltd (MPSEZL) has reported that its income grew by 36 percent
Announcing the annual results, Mr B Ravi, Chief Financial Officer, said here the income was Rs 1,935 crore (Rs 1,426 crore) while PAT stood at Rs 986 crore (Rs 701 crore).?In the fourth quarter of 2010-11, the revenues increased 50 percent to Rs 644 crore (Rs 428 crore) while net profit went up by 74 per cent to Rs 335 crore (Rs 192 crore), he said.?Mr Gautam Adani, Chairman, said the company was now aiming at handling 200 million tonnes of cargo volumes at Mundra by the year 2020.?With the addition of the company’s forthcoming facilities at Dahej, Visakhapatnam, Hazira, Goa and Australia, it would have a capacity of 215mt a year in India by 2012-13 and another 265 mt/year at Abbot Point, Australia, in the next couple of years. Mr Ravi said the Mundra Port, which handled 52mt of cargo in FY11 as against 40.29mt in FY10, had now emerged as the seventh largest port in India with market share of 8.5 percent (1.7 percent). As against other ports, which grew 2 percent, Mundra Port grew by 30 percent in 2010-11, registering a 30 percent jump in cargo handling boosted by higher bulk/container business. With the commissioning of all the units of ongoing thermal power generation projects of Adani Power Ltd (APL) and Tata Power at Mundra, the company’s coal handling volumes would be nearly half of the total volumes handled in the next two to three years.
India's fast-growing Vizag Port Trust will award contracts
The port aims to increase its current cargo handling capacity from 63.2 million tonnes to 86 million tonnes by 2012-13. Two berth development projects – EQ 1 and 1A – would have a capacity of 14 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). These would handle steam and thermal coal. Concession agreements for both the projects would be signed shortly, he said.
Other berth development projects include WQ-7 and 8 and would handle dry bulk commodities. Bids have been invited by the port for the projects estimated to cost around Rs 410 crore. Besides these, installation of mechanised iron ore handling facilities, with a capacity of 8.98 MTPA and installation of fertiliser handling facilities, with a capacity of 5.21 MTPA are the major works expected to cost about Rs 494 crore.
The two dredging projects include deepening of outer harbour to cater to 2,00,000 DWT iron ore vessels for meeting the coal handling requirements and the deepening of inner harbour entrance channel. The two projects would approximately cost Rs 400 crore. The port is also taking measures to improve railroad connectivity and improve logistics by setting up a multi-model logistic hubs and developing a truck parking terminal. The cargoes handled by the port include crude oil and petroleum products, iron ore, coal, fertilisers, steel cargo and containers. However, it is expecting major growth for commodities like iron ore, crude oil and petroleum products, thermal coal, coking coal and steam coal. In recent times, government owned major ports have been facing stiff competition from private port players. The Vizag port has also seen some diversion of coking coal traffic and other bulk commodities on economic considerations to the neighbouring private ports like Krishnapatnam and Gangavaram port. One of the constraints affecting the port is being unable to develop stacking areas adjacent to cargo handling areas due to land acquisition issues and environmental considerations. The port plans to take up all the developmental projects on PPP mode only. However, it is not planning to raise any funds in the near
future. “If in the long term there is a change in government policy, a need may arise to raise the required funds for infrastructure development through public issue,” Satyakumar said.
Royal Haskoning to procure passenger walkways for world's largest cruise terminal
Royal Haskoning will work in partnership with Hong Kong based architectural consultants Au Posford to review the design requirements and outline a performance specification for the walkways, and then select a specialist contractor via tender procedures for their design and construction. When complete, Kai Tak cruise terminal will cover 76,000 square metres of land and will have two berths along its 850-metre quay length. Each berth will provide mooring facilities for a variety of large cruise vessels, including the Genesis Class which carries 5,000 passengers and 2,000 crew members and is the largest vessel currently at sea. The first berth is due to be in operation by July 2013 and the second towards the end of 2014.
The five purpose-built passenger walkways will provide a weatherproof connection for all passengers and crew members between the moored cruise liners and the new terminal building at Kai Tak. Designed to be fully-automated, each walkway will traverse the length of the concourse alongside the berths on rails and will be lifted and lowered via hand-held devices.
Tim Davies, Royal Hakoning’s Director of Advice Group and Sector Director for Cruise, said: “Royal Haskoning has 35 years experience of designing passenger walkways for cruise terminals around the world and has driven many innovative ideas around the passenger safety and operational aspects of designs.
“Our team has also successfully written many performance specifications for the procurement of passenger walkways. This involves preparing pre-qualification and tendering procedures to select specialist contractors for the design, fabrication and operation of the walkways, in accordance with required legislation.”
Royal Haskoning began discussing the procurement of the walkways with the Hong Kong Government in October 2009, and were asked to bid in August 2010. The team’s key objective is to review the structural, mechanical and electrical specifications of the walkways to assess their compatibility with the quay deck structure and terminal building layout, and ensure the designs comply with Hong Kong legislative requirements. Royal Haskoning will then prepare the procurement documents, performance specification and tender documents. The next stage will be to assess the tender documents received from specialist manufacturers and recommend a suitable company to be appointed.
A number of elements are required to be incorporated into the performance specification for the walkways. Their design and structure will need to accommodate movement of the vessel caused by tidal and environmental changes, both when traversing the quayside and while carrying passengers. The width of the walkway design will need to be limited to ensure the store access doors on the sides of the vessel remain accessible. A tie-down facility will also be incorporated into the design for occasions when typhoon warnings are issued, and each walkway will be required to be connected to a backup generator in case of mains power failure from the terminal building.
Tim Davies said: “The construction of Kai Tak cruise terminal is an extremely impressive project and Royal Haskoning is delighted to have won the bid to provide our expertise and services. We look forward to working with our partners Au Posford to ensure a successful outcome.”
–
Â