EU Leads the Way with Ambitious Action for Cleaner and Safer Seas
At the ongoing EU-hosted Our Ocean conference in Malta (5-6 October), the European Union has committed to 36 tangible actions to foster healthier, cleaner, safer and more secure seas. Amounting to over €550 million and involving activities worldwide, the announcements underline the EU's determination to improve the situation of the seas and send a positive signal of encouragement to the rest of the world – governments and private sector alike - to step up and tackle the growing ocean challenges, from plastic pollution and protecting marine life to the impact of climate change and criminal activities at sea. The EU's 36 commitments are described in detail below.
Norcontrol Wins VTMIS Contract
Norcontrol IT won a contract to supply a VTMIS (Vessel Traffic Management and Information System) to the Norwegian Coastal Administration for installation in Vardø, Norway. The new Vardø VTMIS will enable the Norwegian Coastal Administration to monitor traffic and view data from AIS and radar sensors, covering northern areas in the Arctic, from the Barents Sea to Rørvik in the south. An essential task for the Vardø VTMIS will be to monitor the oil and gas transports along the sensitive Norwegian coastline, where fisheries and tourism are key industries. The Vardø VTMIS will be a surveillance tool for increased maritime safety in these areas. The VTMIS contract includes delivery of three VTS workstations, one maintenance server, and two web servers.
