Port Technology International – The key resource for the ports and terminals industry

Three dead, four injured after cruise ship collides with pier Feb 26, 2010

A cruise ship collided with a pier in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh early this morning, killing three sailors and injuring four tourists. Read more...

New world-class VTS system for Sydney ports Feb 25, 2010

Sydney Ports Corporation has signed a contract for the delivery of a new vessel surveillance system for both Port Botany and Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), which will rank among the world's best. Read more...

Sydney Harbour enforces new safety measures after ferry accident Feb 24, 2010

Ferries in Sydney Harbour will have to abide by a new nighttime speed limit a judge has ruled, after an collision in 2007 left four people dead. Read more...

Hydrographic survey of straits of Malacca and Singapore underway Feb 23, 2010 A key hydrographic survey of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore is underway, which aims to produce an updated electronic navigation chart of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) area. Read more...

Free Wi-fi for customer vessels at Hong Kong container terminal Feb 16, 2010

Customer vessels at Modern Terminals, Hong Kong, will now have access to free Wi-fi at the port. Read more...

North Sea land-sea integrated reference data is on its way Feb 15, 2010

SeaZone is collaborating with European hydrographic organisations on a three year project to improve marine reference information for the North Sea. Read more...

Transas China supplies VTS system to China Ministry of Transportation Feb 15, 2010

The Chinese Ministry of Transport have contracted Transas China for the supply, installation and commissioning of a Navi-Monitor system. Read more...

Gibraltar Port renews its VTS system Feb 15, 2010

The Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA) has commissioned a new VTS system from Transas. Read more...

New thermal imager sees more than just infra red Feb 10, 2010

A new, cooled, thermal imager can see both medium and short wave IR thermal emissions simultaneously. Read more...

New Algiz 7 rugged tablet from Handheld is ultra mobile Feb 09, 2010 A new Algiz 7 ultra-rugged tablet PC has been released today by Handheld Europe. Read more...

U.S. Icebreaker receives new deep water multibeam echo sounder Feb 08, 2010 The United States Coast Guard has ordered a Kongsberg Maritime EM 122 deep water multibeam echo sounder for use aboard the icebreaker Healy, the largest vessel in its fleet. Read more...

SES announces new carbon navigation mast Feb 04, 2010

Ships Electronics Services (SES) has announced the introduction of a stylish high-grade carbon fibre mast for navigation, communication and night vision camera equipment. Read more...

New FleetBroadband Bundles launched by Marlink Feb 01, 2010 A new range of FleetBroadband Bundles has been launched by Marlink. Read more...

AAPA letter to Congress outlines key steps to create jobs, enhance economy Dec 17, 2009 In a letter earlier this week to Senate and House leadership regarding a possible jobs bill being considered by Congress, American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) Chief Executive Officer Kurt Nagle outlined several key federal programs and tax incentives related to seaports that will create jobs, enhance sustainability, and provide long-term economic growth and prosperity for the nation. Read more...

Port Technology executive wins excellence award Doug Albrecht recognized for leadership, innovation Dec 10, 2009 Doug Albrecht, the Port of Long Beach’s Director of Information Management, has won the 2009 Best of California Award for Leadership in Management of Information Technology from the Center for Digital Government. Read more...

Growth for iicorr in the Cathodic Protection Sector Dec 08, 2009 Integrity, inspection and corrosion specialist iicorr has experienced high demand for its Cathodic Protection systems and surveys in the last 12 months with contract wins of more than £1.9million for clients in the North Sea and internationally. Read more...

PortVision version 4.0 now available Dec 03, 2009 Upgraded Platform Extends Global Coverage, Usability, and Reporting Read more...

Vizada and Inmarsat preview latest maritime satcoms developments at Marintec 2009 Dec 02, 2009 New developments in maritime satellite communications that will deliver significant advantages to Asia-Pacific ship owners, shipping companies and crew are being previewed at Marintec 2009 by Vizada and Inmarsat. Read more...

Port has brush with Celebrity on cruise ship’s first call Nov 26, 2009 The 1,898-passenger Celebrity Mercury made its inaugural call in the Port of Charleston today, offering a preview of the beautiful ship that will begin a series of cruises sailing from the Holy City in February. Read more...

Kelvin Hughes launches enhanced target detection for radar Nov 26, 2009 Kelvin Hughes has recently launched "Enhanced Target Detection" (ETD) as an enhancement to its MantaDigital™ range of wide-screen radars. This new facility significantly enhances the display of slow-moving or stationary targets without interfering with the normal radar appearance or operation. Read more...

New owners for PD Ports Nov 25, 2009 PD Ports, the leading UK ports & logistics business based in Middlesbrough, has today confirmed that it is under new ownership, following the sale of 100% of its equity to Canadian-based Brookfield Asset Management (“Brookfield”). Read more...

Canaveral welcomes Carnival Dream Nov 19, 2009 World’s largest Cruise Line’s newest and largest ship Read more...

Garmin® announces the AIS 600 for vessel tracking and collision avoidance Nov 17, 2009 Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, announced today the AIS 600 – the company’s first transceiver that allows boaters to receive and transmit Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, giving mariners a new way to identify and avoid other large sea vessels at long range in virtually any visibility. Read more...

Partnership between Atlas Elektronik and EADS Astrium UK for support services Nov 13, 2009 Atlas Elektronik, through its Services Department, is taking over the technical support of the satellite communication systems operated by the German Navy. Read more...

Multi-million rescue plan for essential fishing quay Nov 12, 2009 A partnership has come to the rescue of an ageing quay structure that is essential to the future of the region’s fishing industry. Read more...

Southampton welcomes Cunard for 90 years Nov 12, 2009 Port chiefs in Southampton were in a celebratory mood today when they marked the 90th anniversary of Cunard’s connections with Southampton as its home port for their regal liners. Read more...

Solar innovator named one of Canada’s top 10 Cleantech companies Nov 09, 2009 Carmanah Technologies has been named one of Canada’s top green technology companies on Corporate Knights Cleantech 10™ list, published at the end of October. Read more...

Port of Gijón wins first ESPO Award Nov 05, 2009

Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani handed out the first ESPO Award on Societal Integration of Ports to Fernando Menendez Rexach, President of the Port Authority of Gijón. Read more...

OSIL announce new addition to their Data Buoy Range Nov 03, 2009 OSIL have recently released the latest addition to their range of Data Buoys; The Rapid Deployment Buoy is for use in applications where data needs to be obtained ASAP, and where other data collection systems are out of action for short periods of time. Read more...

AIS for Antwerp barge traffic Nov 03, 2009 Antwerp Port Authority is to make the use of its Automatic Identification System (AIS) compulsory for barges as of March 2011. The introduction of AIS will benefit nautical safety in general and vessel traffic control in particular. Read more...

New port information system for Antwerp Nov 03, 2009 Antwerp Port Authority is upgrading its innovative port information system, APICS. The new version of the system, designed to ensure safe, efficient vessel traffic management, will be fully operational by 2011. Read more...

Gulf Ports ready to receive world’s largest cruise ship next January Nov 03, 2009 Next January the Brilliance of The Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, is scheduled to visit the ports of UAE, Oman and Bahrain. Read more...

IMarEST looks forward to Europort Oct 28, 2009 It is befitting that the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) – the largest international membership body and learned society for marine professionals – should have a strong link with Europort 2009. Read more...

Tideland LED lanterns replace rotating beacon in Irish lighthouse Oct 27, 2009 The Commissioners of Irish Lights have chosen two MaxLED-600 lanterns from Tideland Signal to replace a PRB rotating beacon with incandescent lamps in its Straw Island lighthouse because of the MaxLED's compact, low-consumption design, which makes it ideally suited to the limited solar power supply available given the restrictions of the site. Read more...

TEN-T Conference Naples: Identifying core network biggest challenge ahead Oct 26, 2009 More than 600 delegates, representing EU institutions, Member States and industry sectors, met at the Palazzo Reale in Naples on 21-22 October for a conference on the future of the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T). Read more...

2009 Lloyd's Register Educational Trust maritime Technology student of the year Oct 26, 2009 Webb Institute graduate Andrew Harville recognised For study of efforts To reduce Staten Island ferry system pollution Read more...

PHA Commission approves proposals for insurance and TPAs Oct 23, 2009

The Port Commission of The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) approved proposals for professional third party claims administration (TPA) services and for property and casualty insurance and bids for trash disposal and recycling services at its regular October 20 meeting. Read more...

S.C. Ports’ strategic plan highlights harbor depth advantage Oct 21, 2009 The South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) Board has adopted the first major update to the organization’s strategic plan in several years. Read more...

EFIP welcomes the Port of Ghent as a new member Oct 16, 2009 The European federation of Inland Ports held this morning its annual General Assembly in Mantova. At this occasion, EFIP welcomed the port of Ghent as a new member. Read more...

American Association of Port Authorities To hold 98th Annual Convention in Galveston Oct 15, 2009 Among the hardest-hit U.S. port cities from Hurricane Ike last year was Galveston, Texas, which has made a remarkable recovery since the hurricane's vicious winds and storm surge caused billions of dollars in damage. Read more...

Featured articles

Waterway efficiency at the click of a mouse: How AIS technology is benefiting marine operations Mar 11, 2010

The 2005 Coast Guard mandate for commercial vessels to continuously transmit Automated Identification System (AIS) signals along US inland waterways and ports had been largely an issue of improving marine vessel information availability and dissemination of the information. Two years later, the regulation has produced a significant – albeit unintentional – opportunity for organisations like Valero to improve their maritime operations. Read more...

Totally tubular: steel piling installation at the Muuga Port Dec 08, 2009

In very challenging weather conditions Danish contractor Per Aarsleff is installing its largest profile and one of its longest combination steel pile retaining walls for the extension to the container terminal in the Port of Muuga on the Gulf of Finland south coast, 17 km east of the Estonian capital Tallinn. Read more...

A new era for solar LED marine lanterns Dec 04, 2009

When Carmanah pioneered the first self-contained solar LED marine lantern in 1996, it began a wave of solar solutions for marine applications. From coast guards, to navies, to port author ities to mar inas, Carmanah’s solar technology has proven its place in one of the most demanding environments on earth. Read more...

The advantages of steel sheet piling Nov 26, 2009

EU R&D into port technologies Nov 12, 2009

European Research Policy is included in Article 163 of the European Treaty, which describes how Member States will work together in Research and Development. It has been running since 1972 with the COST Programme (European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research) being the first as well as the widest European network for the coordination of nationally funded research activities. In late 1982, the European Commission launched the European Strategic Programme for Information Technology (ESPRIT), upon which the basic structure of the 1st Framework Programme (FP) 1984-1988 was modelled to this day, with the latest being FP7 2007-2013. Read more...

Solar area lighting: a bright idea for illuminating ports Nov 11, 2009

Port authorities are continually faced with the challenge of balancing environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially responsible operations. As environmental protection moves to the forefront of concerns in today’s world, the need to incorporate renewable energy alternatives into daily operations becomes ever more imperative. Read more...

Innovative design & construction to toe-in sheet piling in bedrock Oct 19, 2009

The innovative design and reconstruction of a toe-in steel sheet pile bulkhead was installed for the Joint Meetings of Essex and Union (JMEUC) Counties outfall structure bulkhead. The site is located along the Arthur Kill in the City of Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey. Read more...

VTMS3000 gains “green” credentials Oct 16, 2009

Modern VTS systems are well proven in their ability to fulfil IMO and IALA requirements. They provide facilities that enable port or coastal authorities to manage vessel traffic efficiently through approach fairways, traffic separation schemes and hazardous areas. Read more...

Transferring LNG from ship-to-ship safely and efficiently Oct 06, 2009

Strainstall have been awarded the contract to supply their Quick Release Hooks and Integrated BerthManager System for new Floating Natural Gas Liquefaction Units (LNG Producers), being constructed by Samsung Heavy Industries in Korea for FLEX LNG. These LNGP’s will be the first dedicated offshore liquefaction units used to develop stranded gas fields offshore. Read more...

Comprehensive Port Management Information System Sep 17, 2009

Safely control vessel traffic via the KleinPort interface to Vessel Traffic (VTS) or Automatic Identification (AIS) systems. Enter vital security related information to maintain compliance with ISPS code Port and Facility Plans. Track dangerous cargoes that arrive, depart and transit the maritime region of interest, while also managing all incidents and delays. Configure warning messages to notify users of any abnormal practices or omitted procedures. Read more...

Operation Big Tow confirms 99 per cent compliance of mariners properly licensed Aug 25, 2009

The Eighth Coast Guard District recently completed Operation Big Tow, a three-month long effort designed as a result of a collision between a cargo vessel and a loaded oil barge on the Mississippi River that spilled more than 282,000 gallons of #6 fuel oil into the river. Operation Big Tow was designed to ensure vessel operators were properly licensed for their respective vessel’s size, type and route. Read more...

Tailoring tug technology to meet specific needs Aug 17, 2009

In the world of ship assist and tanker escort operations, a myriad of challenges and endless ideas about how to address those challenges are commonplace in harbours around the globe. From escorting a large tanker carrying environmentally sensitive cargoes to assisting other vessels within the harbour, it is crucial that the company or harbour master contracted to handle these operations have a full understanding of the task at hand and the best way to successfully address the needs of the project with the proper technology. Read more...

AIS: Beyond ship-to-shore communication Aug 14, 2009

Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology was mandated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for carriage on SOLAS vessels weighing 300gt and up, beginning in 2004. This mandate has resulted in new technology for both tracking and communication purposes. Read more...

Foam filled fenders tackle any environment Aug 06, 2009

Ketchikan, Alaska is a major cruise ship port along the Inside Passage, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Given the decline of the timber and fishing industries in Southeast Alaska, tourism has become the mainstay of Ketchikan’s local economy. Read more...

PMIS installation case study: Port of Amsterdam Aug 05, 2009

In September 2007, Port of Amsterdam went ‘live’ with the KleinPort Management Information System. The system manages both the deep sea and inland vessel traffic at this busy European port that has approximately 120,000 vessel movements per year. Read more...

Critical design characteristics of quality quick release hooks Jul 27, 2009

The time for disputing the value of quick release hooks (QRH) is long gone; decades of successful applications have proven their worth over traditional bollards. But with so many hook manufacturers and suppliers vying for market share, the debate over what makes a quality QRH is still very much in the minds of port operators. Read more...

Oman’s Aids to Navigation – AMNAS’ contribution to maritime safety May 22, 2009

The Sultanate of Oman has a long and proud maritime history. Seafarers have passed along its ruggedly beautiful 1,709 nautical mile coastline for centuries. Deep water is generally found within five miles of the shoreline. Few offshore dangers exist, and where they do they are well charted. Read more...

Innovatory European Maritime Navigation Services (MarNIS) concept unveiled May 14, 2009

Now almost completed, the European Commission’s MarNIS project has recently provided realistic demonstrations of its innovatory concept for the next generation of integrated Maritime Information Services in Genoa and Lisbon. Aimed at implementation between 2012 and 2020, MarNIS integrates vessel traffic monitoring, search and rescue and pollution combating under one (physical or virtual) roof. Read more...

Unique fortification process for twin channel wailing beams May 04, 2009

Nuttall John Martin is currently working on a 330 metre length of the longest continuous quay wall in the UK at Trinity Deep Water Terminal, Berth 5. The remit is to strengthen the existing twin channel wailing beams in reinforced concrete. This, as a normal exercise would not be something out of the ordinary, but on this occasion the existing beams placed at – 0.8 AOD (just above mean low water springs) are only visible in the 4 metre tidal range for an average of two hours either side of low water. Read more...

Making waves with a new generation of solar LED marine lanterns May 01, 2009

From guiding vessels through San Francisco Bay to lighting the waters of Sydney Harbour, solar-powered LED lighting has revolutionised marine operations around the world. With a bright, crisp light source visible from up to six nautical miles away, a self-contained solar LED lantern can replace an entire incandescent system and virtually eliminate ongoing maintenance requirements for up to five years. Read more...

The economics of cold ironing Apr 14, 2009

In this age of globalisation, ports – and the goods flowing through them – have become a mainstay of the U.S. economy. Although containerisation is a highly successful component of the evolving international trade, it has created its own backlash; the burgeoning volume of containerised cargo has generated an increased level of concern about the environmental effects of ever-expanding port operations. Read more...

Losing that sinking feeling: stone column ground installation at the Port of Valencia Mar 24, 2009

The Xita Dock in the Port of Valencia is one of the most important shipping terminals in Spain. It has consistently ranked as Spain’s number one port for real registered foreign trade volumes (imports and exports) and channels traffic from all sectors of the economy and practically any type of commodity. Read more...

The effects of containership growth on tugs and piloting Feb 25, 2009

During the last ten years the steady growth in trade has generated many headlines and the corresponding increase in size of the new generation of containerships has been particularly well documented. The breathless press releases of the latest mega containership do however hide a growing problem for pilots in handling such vessels. Read more...

Modern technology improves safety for mooring hooks Feb 16, 2009

As technology progresses within the industry, safety is becoming an essential feature of building a new terminal and sustaining older terminals, which are now changing old bollards in favour of quick release hooks. Safety is crucial when constructing LNG terminals so all new terminals are now being equipped with quick release mooring hooks. All Marimatech hooks have the option of being fitted with a load pin which can measure the tension of the mooring lines. Read more...

Improving VTS radar tracking through software development Feb 12, 2009

The International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) V-128 Recommendations for Advanced Radars are aimed at improving the clarity of the radar image and track data for Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) operators, to ensure that an accurate, highresolution representation of the maritime domain and all targets within it, irrespective of size and speed, is available at all times. Read more...

The advantages of steel sheet piling Feb 04, 2009

Steel sheet piling (SSP) is a hot-rolled structural shape with interlocks on the flange tips. The interlocks permit individual sections to be connected to form a continuous steel wall which is earth-tight and water resistant. Because it is readily available and transportable, SSP is in many cases a fast and economical solution to an owner’s need for a durable, long lasting wall system. Read more...

Sailing your way through e-Navigation Feb 03, 2009

What is e-Navigation?: e-Navigation is an International Maritime Organization (IMO) led concept based on the harmonisation of marine navigation systems and supporting shore services driven by user needs. e-Navigation is currently defined as: Read more...

Fighting background illumination Dec 08, 2008

Lighthouses where originally built in remote areas to guide ships around shallow waters and rocks close to coastline. With no other lights in view, it was easy for mariners to spot the light. His only concern, then, was to make a positive identification as to which of the lighthouses in the vicinity he had seen. Today, when approaching a busy commercial harbour or a port located within the close proximity of, or inside the city area, the situation is quite different. Read more...

Liquefied gas: the offshore challenge Dec 03, 2008

As General Manager of the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators, (SIGTTO) the reader may wonder why I have been invited to pen this article. The answer is that, as a technical society representing the interests of its members, the Secretariat needs to understand the business of its members and to keep abreast with developments in the industry. Read more...

Offshore opportunities: evaluating the role of offshore systems in the field of unloading Dec 01, 2008

In 2008 Bedeschi Group is celebrating the first century since its foundation in 1908. The Company has always worked in the field of bulk material handling in various industrial sectors including cement, mining and power plants, as well as port and marine. Herein below lies a short presentation outlining actual case studies in order to demonstrate Bedeschi’s capability to handle different market and project tasks. Read more...

Are we there yet? An update on LRIT in Australia Nov 27, 2008

At the 81st session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), the International Mar itime Organization (IMO) adopted an amendment to SOLAS Chapter V that introduces new obligations for ships regarding Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) in resolution MSC.202(81). This was not an easy decision, and the developments in LRIT are a result of many discussions dating from February 2002, as part of the ‘Security Package developed in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of ‘9/11’’, including extensive deliberations at IMO supported by two workshops on ‘Global Tracking of Vessels’ held by IALA. Read more...

Meeting operational goals with solar lighting technology Nov 06, 2008

For modern port facilities, times are changing and so is the way of doing business. Concerns such as increasing safety and security, reducing operational expenditures and improving environmental practices are registering high on the list of business priorities. Today, viability for ports means keeping step with public and political demands for improved security and greener operational practices, while taking into account realities such as aggressive budget structures and the growing price of commodities such as oil. Read more...

Optimising complex terminal operations through advanced software applications Aug 29, 2008

The challenges facing port authorities and the companies responsible for shipping are increasing. The sheer growth in movements, driven by globalisation, is dictating new supply chain flows around the world leading to dramatic expansion in port traffic. New shipping technologies for energy transportation, such as that developed for LNG, and the impact of new security measures also need to be factored in. All this clearly means that to maintain service levels, reduce ship waiting times, and importantly control port demurrage costs, terminal managers have to forward plan more than ever, not just to mitigate the effects of temporary change... Read more...

The MOSE project: preventing Venice from sinking Aug 20, 2008

Venice, the world famous city in the sea, is regularly inundated with water. It is a city built on many thousands of oak pilings, but unfortunately, its wooden foundation is unsound and has subsided by a half a metre over the centuries. To make matters worse, the Adriatic Sea’s level is also rising. The Plaza San Marco is often flooded and the walls of palaces, churches and apartments are saturated with water. The dykes built to protect Venice from floods are too weak. Read more...

Upgrade complete for VTS Humber Aug 19, 2008

Associated British Ports (ABP) is the UK’s largest ports group, owning and operating 21 ports around the country, and handling some 25 per cent of all seaborne trade in and out of Britain. In addition to handling shoreside operations, ABP is also the designated Statutory Harbour Authority in a number of locations, including for the nation’s busiest foreign-trading estuary, the Humber. Read more...

Portable piloting units, models and hardware performance Aug 08, 2008

The Portable Piloting Unit (PPU) will be used in nearly all pilot assisted operations within a few years. Technology has brought the weight down, electronic charts are becoming more accurate, and software has become more powerful and user friendly. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as GPS, GLONASS and GALLIEO are working hand in hand offering unique reliability and accuracy and lest not forget pilots are becoming more IT minded in adopting this new tool. Several types of systems are available. Read more...

Lighting Portugal�s waterways with solar LED technology Aug 07, 2008

Whether marking a channel or flagging an underwater hazard, solar-powered light emitting diode (LED) lanterns are an increasingly popular upgrade for illuminated aids to navigation around the world. Thanks to the impressive durability, reliability and convenience of a solar LED solution, this technology is proving itself in a range of applications, from marking channels in Portugal’s Port of Viana do Castelo, to flagging an artificial reef off Madeira Island. Wherever light is needed, solar LED technology is translating into increased reliability and reduced operating costs for those who use and maintain aids to navigation. Read more...