Lerwick Port Authority is investing £450,000 in new port control technology.
The harbour manager has signed a contract with Transas, a global marine technology firm, to replace its existing vessel monitoring system (VMS).
The work will also involve the renovation of the Port Control service, based in the grade B-listed Albert Building.
The Transas “Navi-Harbour” system will be installed across four sites including the main port operations building and three remote stations – Rova Head, Maryfield and Kirkabister – monitoring the northern approaches, inner harbour and southern approaches.
Cork-based Transas, which is part-owned by Russian venture capital firm Industrial Investors Group, has contracted local supplier H Williamson and Sons to do installation and ongoing maintenance.
Transas will also provide the port authority with an operator training course and maintenance service plan as part of its customer support program.
The Port Authority’s Deputy Harbourmaster, Captain Alexander Simpson, said: “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.
“The investment is another important step in our ongoing development programme which is adding to the port’s capacity and competitiveness.”
The project, which also includes telecommunications and civil works, is scheduled to be fully completed and delivered by May 2016.
The work is expected to be completed in time for the arrival of the two largest cruise ships to ever visit the Shetland harbour.
Lerwick will be visited by P&O Cruises’ 115,055-tonne Azura on June 30, followed by Celebrity Cruises’ 122,210-tonne Celebrity Silhouette on August 14, with passenger capacities of 3,096 and 2,886 respectively.
Harbour bosses are anticipating new records for passengers and vessels next year.
The forecasted highs for the harbour follow a weather-hit 2015 season, when cancellations reduced bookings hit port activity in the first nine months of the year. A total of 142,594 passengers used the Shetland port from January to September, down 8% year-on-year.
The biggest hit came from the cruise sector, where passenger numbers fell 30% to 30,043. Ferry passenger numbers rose 0.7% to 112,164. The harbour managed to maintain growth in traffic numbers, with total vessel arrivals up 24 to 3,874.
However, tonnage was down 4% at 9.2million gross tonnes, a reflection of the drop-off in energy sector operations and cruise-liner visits.
The amount of cargo handled at the port was down 11% at 811,018 tonnes, including a 12% drop in offshore shipments.
Source: Press and Journal