Japan’s NYK, with Tanker ship management offices in Japan and Singapore, has decided to install Digitrace – digital Notice to Mariners – after successful trials.
Captain Shiomoto, head of Tanker Management Team,Tanker and Gas Carrier Management Group, says “Our vessels were very happy with the Digitrace product during the six month trials. We now have a quality tool to further improve the management of chart corrections and publications as well as staff efficiency. It is more efficient and helps us achieve a higher level of reliability. Each vessel now gets the necessary corrections both earlier and every week, instead of only when they come to certain ports”. One of the captains of the trial vessels also added “Digitrace reduced their workload thirty minutes every week. One of the advantages is that Digitrace keeps a record of correction list automatically. It also allows us to ensure update, reduce oversight, and have the newest NTMs within a week. I recommend this product to other types of vessels, especially
Pure Car Carrier, which have many charts. In addition, we have high evaluations for MPC support. ”
Developed in 1996 by leading chart agent, Marine Press of Canada, Digitrace takes the official Notices to Mariners and tracings, and sends a customized weekly e-mail with only the information needed on the ship. This way the file sizes and consequently the transmission costs can be held to a minimum.
The newly appointed Asian distributor for Digitrace, Tokyo-based Japan Marine Science, has had a pivotal role in providing support and a smooth implementation onboard the vessels. Japan Marine Science, represented by Captain M. Kawase, has successfully coordinated the pilot projects with NYKs nautical department, IT manager, shipboard staff and Marine Press. “We will now intensify the marketing of Digitrace to the major shipping companies managed from Asia, which represent a large potential”, says Captain Kawase.
Digitrace has been used for years by most major cruise ships and variety of tankers and container lines. NYK represents the first large contract in Asia, according to Johan Sunnberg, Sales manager for Marine Press of Canada. Mr Sunnberg continues “With the continuous development of increasing communication capacity, reductions in file sizes and improved communication rates, more and more vessels will be able to move into the digital era. This will provide time savings both onboard and in the office administration, as well as improve safety.”