Netherlands Ministry Chooses Kongsberg Radar
The Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, Rijkswaterstaat (RWS), has chosen Kongsberg Norcontrol IT to deliver a state-of-the-art RADAR surveillance system for the Volkeraksluizen, Europe's largest and busiest inland lock complex. Volkeraksluizen serves as an essential junction in the waterway connection between the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp. It is not only Europe's largest and busiest inland locks but also the world's largest inland locks, with over 240 million tons passing through each year. "Volkeraksluizen is a vital link in the Netherlands waterways," said Wiebe Schmitz, KNC Sales Manager, Netherlands. The system will use Kongsberg's next generation C-Scope System to monitor vessel traffic in and around the Volkeraksluizen and to pilot ships into the locks.
River Forth Gets Advanced VTS
One of the world's most advanced ship management systems is now in use on the River Forth. Forth Ports, PLC, the UK's second largest port handler, commissioned a Vessel Tracking System (VTS) from Norcontrol IT in 1998 to replace equipment installed in 1984. The system uses four radars to track all commercial vessels within the Firth of Forth but it needed the back up of a sophisticated Voyage Management Database to record all associated information such as voyage times, anchorage usage, pilot & tug usage, cargo status etc. Following a requirements specification process with Norcontrol IT a completely new Voyage Management Database was designed and installed.
