Defence and security company Saab has signed a contract with Peel Ports for the installation of Saab’s Vessel Traffic Management Services (VTMS) system, which will be installed across five major UK ports, including Peel Port’s harbours in Clydeport, Heysham, Medway, Liverpool and Manchester Ship Canal.
The system will be deployed across the UK and is scheduled to be operational by September 2016.
Anders Carp, head of business unit Traffic Management, Saab, said: “This will be the first time a UK port operator will integrate a vessel management system across multiple ports with this level of combined services or interoperability.
“Various solutions, such as Saab’s TactiCall communications system, R40 AIS base stations and V3000 VTMS come together to provide shipping companies the swiftest service in getting their cargo from the ship onto the next inland transport system. This will add to the attractiveness and profitability of participating ports.”
Watch a video on the progress of Peel Port Liverpool2 container terminal
The Saab VTMS system will allow controllers to accurately guide vessel traffic under all visibility conditions, even when ports are extremely busy.
The system receives real-time information from latest design radars, AIS and CCTV sensors and combines the information into a consistent traffic overview of all vessel movements.
Gary Hodgson, COO of Peel Ports, said: “This significant investment in customer service will enable the Statutory Harbour Authorities of Ardrossan, Clydeport, Heysham, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheerness to further advance safety and efficiency of all aspects of Vessel Traffic Management.”
Saab’s V3000 VTMS is already installed in more than 70 traffic centres worldwide, including the ports of Rotterdam, Shanghai.
Fact File: Peel Ports is strategically located to serve the whole of the United Kingdom. Five major gateways from Clydeport to Medway handle a broad spectrum of international trade amounting to more than 65 million tonnes of cargo a year. At the centre of the country and the heart of the Group are the Port of Liverpool and the Manchester Ship Canal, now one continuous water highway forming a single port facility of major strategic significance forged under the banner of Peel Ports.
