Port of London Adds Latest Computer Technology To Improve Safety And Efficiency

(London, U.K.) SOFRELOG announces the installation of a new Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS) at the Port of London, Gravesend, U.K. An inauguration ceremony took place on October 27, 1998, and was presided over by Mr. William O'Neil, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This system will provide the Port of London Authority with the technology to monitor and manage all vessel traffic activities in the Thames estuary and lower river.

"The installation of this equipment demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the very highest standards of navigational safety by continuing to invest in top quality, state-of-the-art technology and equipment, " said Port of London Authority, Chief Harbor Master, Rear Admiral Bruce Richardson.

"The Sofrelog system has a high degree of flexibility and reliability, and will enable us to monitor and record traffic movement with even greater precision than hitherto. As a consequence, we will be able to provide even better support to vessels navigating within the port, as well as ensuring compliance with safety procedures," he added.

Sofrelog's product called SYTAR (System for Tracking, Administration and Routing), employs a number of sensors including, multiple radar units, VHF radio, and video cameras and integrates them onto a computer network. The system also provides for future deployment of AIS transponders (Automatic Identification System) when available. The SYTAR network allows trained operators at the Gravesend Centre to track the movement of all vessels on computer screens, and to maintain safe and efficient passages throughout the port area and it's approaches. The system is also connected to the Emergency Management Centre at Alexandra House.

SYTAR has been installed in a number of prominent port and waterway systems. Among these are the Ports of Marseilles, Abidjan in the Ivory Coast and Cotonou in the Benin Rep. In the Ports of Rouen and Bordeaux the pilot associations are using SYTAR for pilotage assistance.

In addition, SYTAR is used by The Royal Danish Navy for coastal monitoring, the Kiel Canal in Germany for lock control, as well as multiple stations on the Dover Strait.

New contracts have also been received for the Thames Barrier Navigation Centre, the ports of Calais, Tunis, Beirut and Tripoli.

SOFRELOG is a High Technology company with principle offices in France and the United States. The company installed its first Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS) in 1993, based on experience in the field of software real-time processing for government agencies.

In addition to VTMIS, the company offers systems for software simulation and testing, as well as components for digitizing wide-band analogue data and placing it on computer networks.

Founded in 1987, SOFRELOG (www.sofrelog.com) is an employee owned high technology company, which employs more than 70 engineers, service and administrative personnel. Principle customers are port and waterway authorities, coast guards and other government agencies as well as commercial companies.

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