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Vessel Traffic Management System: Brazils SEPs Vision for a National Framework

Published Nov 9, 2011 11:29 AM by The Maritime Executive

By: Nishant Pillai, director of Cargo and Port Security Practice, Unisys

and Michael Goldsmith, CEO of Global Defense Solutions

With more than 8,500 km of coastline and 228 port terminals—many of which are ranked among the top 50 ports in the world—Brazil’s maritime sector accounts for approximately 90 percent of the country’s trade volume (1). In fact, this past year these ports transported roughly 6.9 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units); 36.6million metric tons of general cargo; 630.9 million metric tons of solid and liquid bulk cargo; 490,000 vehicles; and well over 1 million passengers (2). Furthermore, the country has seen a steady rise in maritime activities in the last decade. Brazil’s container market alone has grown more than 10 percent per year over the past 12 years. In 2010 the market realized 14.2percent growth with an estimated 424,065 ship movements within Brazil’s territorial waters – coastal and port (3);

Although preliminary calculations suggest the industry is only operating at roughly 65 to 75 percent of its potential dynamic capacity, these statistics imply vessel traffic in Brazil is expected to increase substantially over the next decade. Particularly with events like the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games on the horizon, dealing with the expected increase in vessel traffic is of utmost importance, as Brazil’s maritime operations fall under the watchful eye of the international community.

While there is much promise for Brazil and its maritime industry, the forecasted increase in maritime trade needs to be addressed in a timely and effective manner. Additionally, a higher volume of ship movement in confined spaces—port and near coastal areas—presents a number of safety and security concerns. Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) is key to addressing these concerns. VTMS offers situational awareness of ongoing activities within and near Brazil’s ports, commonly referred to as achieving Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).

The Secretariat of Ports (SEP) of Brazil recently embarked on an ambitious plan to solve the imposing vessel traffic issue through the implementation of a national Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS). In June 2011, the SEP initiated a feasibility study grantfunded by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to develop a national VTMS. SEP selected Unisys Corporation to perform the study, which takes a five-phased approach to developing a VTMS framework to guide individual port VTMS implementations across Brazil. These phases include: facility characterization, VTMS conceptual design, impact assessment, system development and delivery of a final report. Completion of the project is expected for March 2012, and work is already underway.

Developing a national VTMS

Before beginning the process, it was important for SEP to seek full participation and feedback from the port community in the development of the program, SEP presented the project’s intent and activities in a kickoff meeting that initiated a two-way dialogue with more than 50 stakeholders—resident and non-resident to ports. This transparent information sharing enabled SEP to develop a program that would benefit all those involved.

During the facility characterization phase, the Unisys team gathered information from a representative sampling of Brazil’s ports to develop a baseline of maritime activity. The team worked diligently to understand the ports’ operations and conducted discussions and interviews with more than 200 stakeholders to date. The team defined what the ports wanted and needed before considering a solution design that would address all of these issues.

The conceptual design phase is intended to introduce a VTMS solution taking into account the issues identified during the facility characterization. It further considers forecasted improvements to Brazil’s maritime industry, such as the increase in vessel traffic and modernization of ports and terminals. Unisys plans to use the framework approach and develop a high level design. Rather than offer vendor-specific recommendations, Unisys will identify types of technologies that may be deployed to resolve specific concerns.

Phase three will provide an impact assessment of applying a VTMS solution. Unisys will address numerous considerations that are frequently overlooked in lieu of quick spending but helpful to offering the government detailed justification for project implementation. These considerations include the cost of proposed improvements versus benefits gained; the developmental impacts—benefits to the local community, like an increase in jobs; and environmental impacts--ensuring the application of ecologically friendly solutions.

During system development phase, Unisys will leverage information gathered during the previous phases to develop the final framework for VTMS application. In this phase, system requirements will be defined and technical specifications developed in preparation of VTMS implementation. Minimum standards will be created to which all VTMS applications will adhere, along with the identification of key performance indicators, making this a critical phase for the VTMS national program. Technology procurement will also be addressed, assisting with and prequalifying vendor selection for the various ports and terminals.

All of this information will be presented in a final report to SEP.The report will provide a comprehensive understanding of Brazil’s maritime domain—present and forecasted—as well as how a VTMS program will improve vessel traffic management and a road map for implementation In addition, the report will address four related areas: legal authority, user training, operator certification and regulatory oversight. A review of Brazil’s legislation ensures a clear line of authority is in place for managing and regulating a national VTMS framework, recommending change where applicable. The report will delineate a minimum standard for training VTMS operators, supervisors and managers to ensure all ports adhere to a uniform program promoting maximum safety within Brazil’s waters. Implementation of a certification program will serve as the basis of a verification process by makingcertain that port VTMS solutions meet national standards. SEP regulatory activity ensures compliance with such standards.

Educating stakeholders on the value of VTMS

The VTMS project provides a solid platform for SEP to interact with the port and terminal community. In response to honest feedback from its customers, SEP embarked on a vigorous public information and education program to enhance stakeholder interaction and subject knowledge related to VTMS. To further SEP’s vision of being a qualified resource for information, as well as a community advocate, SEP teamed up with Unisys todeliver a series of VTMS workshops and training sessions in October 2011. Training topics range from the introduction of VTMS technologies to how they may be used to increase port profitability. 

The maritime industry in Brazil was recently reported as producing more than $387 billion in annual revenue in calendar year 2010. While it is premature to project improvements for SEP’s ongoing project, similar studies around the world performed by Unisys have resulted in substantial improvements to profitability for the government, port authorities and terminal operators. At the very least, when implemented properly, a national VTMS framework translates directly to measurable increases in port efficiencies, vessel safetyand port security.

 

Citations

  1. U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Ports Definitional Mission Report
  2. American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)
  3. American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)

 

About the Authors

Nishant Pillai is a Practice Director of the Global Cargo and Ports Security Practice at Unisys Corporation. Based in Washington DC, Nishant has responsibility for the company’s activities and long-term growth in the international maritime/ port security and end-to-end logistics chain service areas. As a specialist in the areas of Maritime Cargo and Port Security, and End-to-End Logistics Chain Operations, Mr. Pillai has developed deep first hand insight into how organizations can leverage business processes and technology solutions to achieve both improved efficiency and greater security, through the planning and implementation of global standards, trade facilitation mechanisms, maritime systems integration and end-to-end logistics chain, cargo and port security technologies. He has personally worked on leading edge cargo & port operations and security projects in the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, Jordan, Germany, China and Taiwan

Michael Goldsmith has extensive experience in architecture and infrastructure protection, specializing in improving the efficiencies, safety and security of complex transportation systems around the world. Formerly with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (legacy Customs Service), his career spanned all aspects of port operations. His expertise in port operations is frequently provided to senior government personnel, including former U.S. National Security Advisor General James Jones, Middle East Special Envoy former Senator George Mitchell and Office of the Quartet Representative former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.  He has successfully delivered port designs on five continents, managed several USTDA-funded VTMS projects, and been the recipient of numerous port design awards from both the public and private sectors. As a sub-contractor to Unisys, he currently serves as the principle VTMS resource for SEP’s VTMS project.

 

MarEx does not necessarily endorse any opinions herein.