{mprestriction ids="1,2"}Lerwick Harbour is situated at the crossroads of the North Sea and North-East Atlantic, handling more than 5,000 vessel arrivals, totalling over 12,000,000 gross tonnes, annually. The deep-water port’s users include fishing, oil and gas support, cargo, sailing, ferries and cruise ships.

The new VMS will use the Navi-Harbour software system from Transas, integrated with Class A AIS Transponders, Sperry Marine Vision Master radars, a Jotron VHF Communication System, Gill Meteorological sensors, and an APC Power Backup System.

This set up will be installed across four sites covering the port’s area: the main port operations building and three remote stations at Rova Head, Maryfield and Kirkabister, monitoring the northern approaches, inner harbour and southern approaches respectively.

Transas will also provide operator training courses and a maintenance service plan under the agreement.

“The new system will modernise Lerwick Harbour’s monitoring system, improving real-time information available to the controllers handling shipping movements and the navigational assistance provided by Port Control,” said the Port Authority’s deputy harbourmaster, Captain Alexander Simpson.

“The investment is another important step in our ongoing development programme which is adding to the port’s capacity and competitiveness.”

The project is set to cost around £450,000, including the Transas contract, telecommunications and civil works, and is scheduled to be fully completed and delivered by May 2016.{/mprestriction}