Demand rises for C-MAP weather forecasting service

C-MAP Norway reports increased demand for the weather forecasting service developed by C-MAP Marine Forecast, a business unit of C-MAP Norway. C-MAP Norway confirmed today that Green Charter, a business unit of the Bergen-based Green Reefers, recently ordered a subscription to the WeatherViewTM service for eight vessels. According to C-MAP marketing manager Willy Zeiler, the contract is further proof that the shipping industry has recognised the value of the weather forecasting service. "We are confident that as the industry becomes familiar with the innovative functionality and customised presentation of WeatherviewTM, demand will continue to rise," he says. The order placed by Green Reefers followed extensive testing about two of the company's vessels, Green Frost and Green Ice. The results of these onboard trials were very positive – navigators reported easy access to valuable information and accurate forecasts. And since WeatherViewTM was set up with Dualog communication, navigators had access to vital data via automatic downloads. "This system allows users to order weather information when required, and set the different navigational parameters in selected geographical regions," explains Zeiler. "In addition, users have greater control over route planning and the opportunity to reduce communications costs." Zeiler notes that that the unique luxury cruise liner "The World" has been using WeatherViewTM for a year in combination with C-MAP OceanViewTM. "Because the two services are integrated, users can predefine sailing conditions to avoid hazardous weather," he says. "The combined system is also equipped with a alarm function, which factors in weather conditions along the planned route and gives warnings if the vessel approaches hazardous weather conditions."