The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has entered strategic partnerships with the Port of London Authority (PLA) and the Peel Ports Group as it looks to work closely on data sharing and implementing new technology.
Memorandums of Understanding have been signed by the UKHO with both organisations to improve collaboration in the UK’s port sector.
UKHO’s head of data partnerships Paul Marks said that the partnerships will allow the UKHO to work on a safer and more efficient and more sustainable port sector: “Maintaining close relationships between the UKHO and ports has always been hugely important to support both safety of life at sea and the UK’s international seaborne trade.
“Ports sit at a critical point in the supply chain. Their unique role comes with unique data which, in an increasingly digital industry, will be critical to the future of navigation, voyage optimisation and to decarbonisation.”
One of the key facets of the partnership will be the improved hydrographic and maritime data sharing between the organisations, allowing for increased safety and efficiency at the ports, which handle over 120 million tonnes of cargo a year between them.
The partnerships will also include closer collaboration on using next-generation navigational technology, such as the digitalisation of ports and testing of new solutions based on the new S-100 data standards from the International Hydrographic Organisation.
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By GlobalDataPLA port hydrographer John Dillon-Leetch said it was an exciting time for those involved in hydrography and also stated: “We will be focussing our working groups to seek efficiencies and developments in the areas of ENC (Electronic Navigation Chart) production including the S-100 suite of data standards, as well as automating processes related to data processing, data management and data services.”
“This MoU supports the UKHO and PLA principle of “collect once, use many times” which is key to developing a more sustainable and successful UK maritime industry.”
As with the wider shipping industry, port operations have been moving towards a more sustainable future recently, including the Port of London which has been investing in technology such as the UK’s first fully electric remote control survey vessel.
