Wärtsilä has completed the installation and operational staff training for its Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) solution in the ports of Lisbon and Setúbal / Sesimbra in Portugal.
The VTS systems increase the efficiency of ports by reducing waiting times for vessels and allowing just-in-time pilotage.
The project includes two VTS control centres, seven remote sites with sensors, and the integration of various radars, Automatic Identification System (AIS) Base Stations, day/night cameras, Radio Direction Finders (RDF), VHF and Navtex subsystems, and weather and sea sensors. Data is being shared between the control centres and pilots via Pilot Portable Units – Pilot PRO application.
The state-of-the-art solution has been developed and supplied by Transas, a Wärtsilä company. It is a modular and scalable solution.
“This extensive project is another outstanding example of how Wärtsilä is utilising high levels of connectivity and digitalisation to develop the latest technology for creating even greater maritime safety and operational efficiencies as part of its Smart Marine Ecosystem vision,” said Dmitry Rostopshin, Wärtsilä ship traffic control & management director.
“We are extremely satisfied with the VTS solution for these ports and thank Wärtsilä for its efficient handling of this important project. Lisbon and Setúbal are major ports on the Iberian Peninsula and having this advanced technology will benefit our operations and the safety of navigation in many ways,” stated Rui Barata, head of pilot department and VTS – APL S.A. and Carlos Marques, port & maritime safety/security director – APSS S.A.
The project was booked in July 2018 and completed in January 2019.
