Port of Antwerp will partner with the guarding and security company Securitas to invest in the digitalisation and expansion of its radar infrastructure in order to optimise guidance of shipping traffic.
The Belgian port began rolling out vessel traffic management in 2021, with the aim of upgrading the guidance of shipping traffic behind the locks. In that context, a milestone was reached recently with the award of an agreement to develop the ports’ entire radar infrastructure.
The 12 current analogue radars will be gradually replaced and, in addition, seven radar set-up points will be added to the port’s equipment, according to a statement. Securitas will use products from the Italian radar manufacturer ICS.
An IALA-compliant (International Association of Lighthouse Authorities) Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is the final objective to be rolled out by the first quarter of 2022 and will have three sectors.
The digitalisation of this radar infrastructure is expected to further support and accelerate efforts on other innovation projects. This will simplify the connection with the digital twin Advanced Port Information and Communication Assistant (APICA), which allows various real-time data to be brought together and translated into actionable information via data science, for a diverse group of stakeholders.
“Our ambition is to become a world port of the future where innovation and digitalisation are key,” said Port alderman Annick De Ridder. “This new radar infrastructure will help us manage our port more efficiently and is an important step towards even safer and smoother traffic,” she added.
