MPA, IBM complete trial to maritime operations upgrade

Three of its modules have already completed the trial.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and IBM have completed the trial of three Project SAFER modules to improve maritime operations.

According to a press release, Project SAFER is a collaboration between the two to create and test technology to improve maritime and port operations, as a response to Singapore's growing vessel traffic.

Project SAFER has seven modules that will increase the accuracy of tasks related to observation, reporting, Very High Frequency (VHF) communication, and data entry.

Among these, the modules Automated Movement Detection, Infringement Analytics and Pilot Boarding Detection have completed trials. The rest will be rolled out by January 2018.

The Automated Movement Detection module aims to reduce communication between MPA control centre and ship masters and detect the start/end time of vessels in real time.

SAFER will also improve the accuracy of information in movement time and location by up to 34%, allowing officers to do other tasks.

Meanwhile, Infringement Analytics modules will help port inspectors to detect suspicious or abnormal vessel behaviour through alerts to be sent to them.

The Pilot Boarding Detection module will automatically detect pilot boarding time and validate PSA Marine's pilotage service level.

MPA chief executive Andrew Tan said, "The SAFER project will enable us to reap immediate benefits especially in the areas of next-generation port enforcement and monitoring of vessel movements."