Tanger Med, the largest Mediterranean and African container port, has partnered with Wärtsilä to jointly develop a new Port Management Information System (PMIS), which aims to facilitate increased levels of data exchange and improve operational efficiency, port safety, and environmental sustainability.
The new PMIS will connect with the maritime liners and alliances calling at Tanger Med Port Complex to help them to optimise their vessel calls and use standardised master and event data, in line with guidelines developed by the International Taskforce PCO (Port Call Optimisation), a group that includes several international ports including Port of Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg and Los Angeles.
The joint initiative includes the delivery and installation of a Wärtsilä Navi-Harbour VTS System comprising PortLink Port Management Information System, IALA Advanced Coastal Surveillance Radars, VHF Radio Sub-System, Automatic Identification System, Operator Workstation, Network Systems, Ancillary Equipment and a five-year service and support contract.
Tanger Med is already engaged in an existing port digitalisation programme involving a range of different initiatives and projects, including the development of its own Port Community System, which offers services including port call optimisation, vessel traffic services, slot reservation and call priorities management.
This project with Wärtsilä, in particular the implementation of the Navi-Port system, will help to expand the port’s ability to support Just-in-Time (JIT) arrival operations, reducing the need for vessels to wait at anchorage and subsequently relieving congestion and lessening carbon emissions.
“Tanger Med is taking another step by teaming up with Wärtsilä to develop its new PMIS. This partnership aims to support the port’s current efforts to become a leading smart port equipped with the latest technologies to improve operational efficiency, and further enhance organisation of ships’ calls and nautical services, which will be essential as port traffic increases,” said Ridouan Boulaich IT Director, Tanger Med.
Wärtsilä Voyage will handle all of the services linked to the project, including design, delivery, testing, operations and technical training. The installation is expected to be completed within 12 months, after which the organisations will continue to collaborate under an MoU for further smart port development.
