NAVTOR Reports Norwegian Market Breakthroughs

NAVTOR, a company that delivers e-navigation solutions, announced market breakthroughs in the Norwegian offshore shipping segment. According to NAVTOR, a flurry of new client signings means that shipowners controlling 72% of the entire national fleet are now rolling the firm’s ENC service out across their vessels.

NAVTOR said it is the navigation partner of choice for the Norwegian offshore segment, which today accounts for 44% of the nation’s total shipping business. NAVTOR has achieved this position just two years after the launch of its ENC service, which is compatible with all ECDIS, regardless of make. The service is offered for distribution on the preloaded USB-based NavStick, allowing navigators to instantly download global charts and licenses to the ECDIS, while an online synchronization feature ensures that the latest updates are always available on demand.

The ease of the service, which the manufacturer says dramatically cuts down on navigators’ administration duties, has seen the firm sign up leading Norwegian offshore operators, such as Simon Møkster Shipping, Island Offshore, Troms Offshore, Havila Shipping and Siem Offshore.

“Our goal has always been to simplify complicated tasks and enhance user experience,” commented Børge Hetland, NAVTOR Sales and Marketing Manager. “By reducing the administrative workload for navigators we give them the chance to focus on what should always be their key task, navigation. This increases efficiency, while making operations simpler and, crucially, safer. Norwegian offshore companies, which operate in some of the most demanding environments on earth, have clearly demonstrated that they appreciate this focus.”

Hetland states that the flexibility of the firm’s offering – with both Standard Subscription and Pay As You Sail (PAYS) models available – has also found favor with shipowners. “PAYS is just another innovation that shows that we understand the needs of the market,” he said. “It was the first DNV type-approved PAYS service available, levying charges only for charts used during voyages, while making all charts freely available for planning purposes. This flexibility has genuine appeal for the offshore segment.”

NAVTOR is now looking to transcend its presence in offshore to new sectors, such as the cruise and ferry segment, which fall under the IMO’s ECDIS Carriage Requirement (ECDIS Mandate) in July 2014. The firm has already signed up some of the world’s cruise operators, including Crystal Cruises and RCL Cruises Ltd.

navtor.com