UKHO and Transas announce partnering agreement

23 September 2008, 7:40pm

The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has today (23 Sept 08) announced at SMM Hamburg 2008 a strategic partnering agreement with Transas, a leading Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

The commercial agreement will see every future Transas ECDIS pre-loaded with AVCS data, tailored to the needs of Transas’ customers and optimised for use on Transas’ ECDIS’s.

UKHO launched AVCS in April this year, which integrates official electronic navigational charts (ENCs) from national hydrographic offices across the globe, along with newly manufactured ENCs for gaps in key areas, to provide a comprehensive world series for the international mariner.

Transas is an established, world-leading developer and supplier of software, integrated solutions, hardware technologies and simulators for the marine transportation industry. The combination of Transas ECDIS and AVCS data will be known as the Transas Admiralty Data Service (TADS).

The new TADS service compiles the ENC data set into the internal format of a Transas ECDIS system, meaning that users will experience significant time savings, whilst also guaranteeing an easy, error free installation and updating of official SENC data on their systems, where the producing nation allows.

Since TADS is based on AVCS, it comprises only official ENCs produced by government hydrographic offices and therefore is fully compliant with Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) legislation for use within ECDIS. Maintaining up-to-date ENCs is critical for their compliance and therefore TADS comes complete with automated and semi-automated chart updates.

Chief Executive Mike Robinson believes the Transas partnering relationship will meet the demand for safe, compliant navigational data, in an easy to maintain format.

He said: “UKHO and Transas complement each other well and because safety matters, we are working together on TADS to better meet the needs of the international mariner.”

Transas was the first manufacturer to gain type-approval for an ECDIS back in 1999 with BSH of Germany and is now producing its 5th generation system, the Navi-Sailor 4000 MfD. With more than 7,000 systems sold worldwide, the Transas system combines user-friendly functionality with the latest in navigation technology.

Peter Mantel, Deputy Managing Director of Transas, said: “The combination of official Admiralty data from the UKHO and the DNV type-approved Transas ECDIS system creates the optimal package for mariners worldwide.

“Transas has always been committed to the future of digital navigation and with the UKHO supplying AVCS as a truly integrated package, I believe that we now have the right partner to complete the product offering.”

“Through the UKHO we have access to comprehensive ENC data from the international hydrographic community. We also have a partner with whom we can work to advance the amount of additional navigational information we can provide to our customers.”

Mr Robinson added that UKHO is seeking to create agreements that help the marine community in the transition towards a digital future

“UKHO recognises that this partnering agreement is a major step towards creating a compliant digital service that not only fulfils the requirements of the mariner, but assists them during the transition towards the proposed ECDIS Mandation that comes into force from 2012.”

“It also offers a single-source package for those already using ECDIS, as well as those considering its purchase ahead of mandation.”

“OEM partners are clearly a key element in the delivery of global, official electronic charting services, and are key to driving forward the adoption of compliant navigational information.

“It is fundamental that we foster relationships with them to allow our customers to derive the proven benefits from the use of ENC data whilst removing some of the complexities and inconsistencies that have inhibited use to this point”.

“This close level of collaboration will ensure that data displays appropriately and that the hardware and software work seamlessly for the mariner.”

UKHO is currently obtaining ENC data for Malaysia, Indonesia and Colombia (the latter distributed via IC-ENC). With further agreements close to being concluded, coverage will increase by a further 10% over the next few months.

In total, since launch, 694 new ENCs have been added to the AVCS service with more already in the pipeline, and UKHO is on course to deliver its commitment of covering the Top 2000 ports in the world and the major routes between them within twelve months of initial launch.

www.ukho.gov.uk

Geo: International