Finnish maritime software firm NAPA has launched the new version of its tool to aid the stability of ferry vessels and manage efficient loading and off-loading. NAPA Stability for Ferries is part of the growing suite of NAPA software solutions. 

NAPA described the product as “an onboard system which can connect to the shoreside… allowing the continuous monitoring and dynamic adjustment of the ship’s stability parameters in real-time by crew and shoreside teams alike.”

The software system will work with NAPA’s existing cloud solution “NAPA Fleet Intelligence”. 

The Finnish firm said the new product was a response to requests from the ferry sector for software to help its crew and shoreside staff balance ships at speed throughout their processes. 

“Fast and frequent loading and unloading, multiple arrivals and departures daily, route-specific challenges, sustainability, reporting and compliance, as well as cargo management,” were all cited by the company as areas the industry said could be improved. 

According to NAPA, the tech solution uses its own 3D modelling of the ships it is installed on “to cover a wide range of calculations related to hydrostatics, intact stability, damage stability, and longitudinal strength.”

Shoreside real-time access to stability data is enabled, meaning there is far less of an opportunity for an information gap to appear between staff on the ship and those managing customers onshore. 

The new system has already been installed on seven Italian vessels belonging to Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV). 

Davide Orecchia, chief technical officer at GNV, explained the line’s enthusiasm for the new software. 

“With dynamic new cargo loading features, and real-time shipboard stability data available onshore via cloud services, our onboard and shoreside teams can communicate and collaborate like never before.”

“The safety of our passengers is our utmost priority. Working with NAPA gives us the peace of mind that we are maintaining the industry’s highest standards to keep our ferries operating safely and smoothly, while also unlocking data insights to improve the efficiency of our fleet and teams,” he added. 

Finnish shipping and ferry line Tallink Silja is undertaking sea trials for the software on its Silja Serenade and Baltic Queen vessels. 

Clas-Johann Westen, technical superintendent at Tallink Silja Line, explained the long-running relationship with NAPA. 

"We have been actively engaged in the evolution of the NAPA Stability software, previously known as NAPA Loading Computer, for over two decades. We are pleased to have contributed to the development of its latest iteration.”

“With its contemporary interface and enhanced functionality, we assure precision in results and ease of adoption for operators as they prepare for departures, ushering in a new era of efficiency and confidence,” Western added.