UKHO and JRC partnership for digital navigation

07 July 2010, 8:01pm

07 July 2010 - UKHO and JRC have announced that shipping companies fitting a JRC ECDIS now have the additional benefit of instant access to the entire range of official global Admiralty ENCs. All JRC systems are now being preloaded in the factory with every AVCS chart.

The combination of JRC ECDIS and AVCS provides a navigation-ready, complete type-approved system that meets the needs of the shipping industry ahead of the introduction of compulsory ECDIS carriage.

The agreement delivers an integrated service which provides mariners with faster, more direct access to the world’s largest range of official ENCs, and makes it easier to obtain the data required for highly efficient passage planning and voyage execution.

The partnership is the latest in a series of innovations announced by the UKHO which is bringing its vision for a digital future of navigation to life, and which support the mariner through the transition from paper charts to digital technology. The integration with JRC ECDIS is another step in the delivery of a complete portfolio of enhanced, integrated services which make navigation and fleet management smarter, simpler and safer.

Michael Cauter, Commercial Director at UKHO says, “Maritime navigation operations will change significantly over the next few years, as the shift to digital technology comes into effect. We are dedicated to making that transition as straightforward as possible. From ensuring mariners have the most comprehensive range of ENCs they need for safe global passage to improving the efficiency of navigation operations between ship and shore with Admiralty e-Navigator, we’re working to help mariners and shipping companies access the benefits of digital technology.”

He continues, “Our partnership with JRC is another great example of that ongoing commitment. A key challenge many shipping companies will face is the need to roll out ECDIS across fleets quickly and efficiently. The partnership with JRC delivers a turnkey solution which includes seamless integration between a type-approved JRC ECDIS and 100% official Admiralty data. It removes the complexity from the installation process, and makes the transition to digital navigation simple and straightforward.”

AVCS is the leading integrated ENC service, which provides the most comprehensive global SOLAS-compliant ENC coverage available. The UKHO has collaborated with hydrographic offices worldwide to provide the official electronic charts the shipping industry needs as it heads towards the start of the compulsory carriage of ECDIS from 2012. Over 900 shipping companies use AVCS and it is expanding its numbers by more than 60 vessels a week.

Mr. Tamiho Shinya, Executive Officer of JRC marine division says, “JRC has delivered more than 3500 ECDIS and has been supporting seafarers for more than 10 years. AVCS by Admiralty is the best choice partner to provide reliable ENC data worldwide. JRC ECDIS now offers seafarers great value in bridge technology, delivering seamless access to navigational data. We are confident that JRC ECDIS with Admiralty AVCS preinstalled is the most reliable ECDIS which significantly contributes to marine safety and efficient vessel operation”.

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