The Port of London Authority (PLA) has enlisted NASH Maritime, a shipping, navigation and maritime risk consultancy, to assist in the upgrade of its Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system.
VTS systems are software systems used to manage and coordinate vessel traffic and marine operations within a port or waterway.
According to the Port of London Authority, the upgrade is intended to ensure the software system can meet the current and future needs of the River Thames, providing the safe management and coordination of vessel traffic and marine operations.
READ: The Purpose of VTS: Efficiency, Safety and Environmental Protection
NASH Maritime worked with the PLA to understand user needs and requirements in defining the new software’s specification.
To develop the specification, the project team undertook discovery work with users to identify mandatory and desirable requirements, as well as understanding the PLA’s strategic and operational needs.
The consultancy firm was supported by Halcro Electronics and AFS Consultants.
Dr. Ed Rogers, NASH Maritime Co-Founder, expressed his pleasure at being appointed as VTS system advisor to the Port of London Authority.
“We brought to this project our understanding of the challenges that come with being a VTS system operator, our experience in defining VTS systems (both here in the UK and internationally) and also our deep knowledge of IALA standards, EU Network and Information Systems Directive and GDPR requirements,” Dr. Rogers said.
NASH Maritime’s specification findings were finalised in early 2023, and the tender documents for the new software system were developed based on these findings.
Most recently, DP World Southampton renewed its security services contract with Mitie for a further two years.
The contract extension will see Mitie continue to provide essential security services for DP World at the deep-sea container terminal in full compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility security code (ISPS), and the Maritime Security Division (MSD) of the Department of Transport.
