Featuring the latest technology, the new control centre will provide a detailed integrated image of all ship movements on the canal, including the Port of Ghent.

Under this latest contract, Kortrijk based Barco will install a modular and open Mini-VTS system that communicates via an open, standardised All Purpose Structured Eurocontrol Radar Information Exchange (Asterix) interface ready for future evolutions. Barco will coordinate and execute the entire project, including break-up of the existing infrastructure, installation of all new components, training of operators, maintenance and support.

The system to be installed comprises a radar system, two ergonomic visualisation units, and a user friendly software platform based on Barco's OPSCENTER suite. The Mini-VTS package combines a suitable short range radar unit, a complete video network for radar acquisition, an integrated Multi Sensor Tracker and a link to an AIS network.

Operators will be presented with local radar data, additional external radar data from the Scheldt Radar Chain and information from ships' AIS on a single ECDIS map. The system will also be able to show high resolution raw radar video from the local radar on the ECDIS chart superimposed with synthetic track data coming from the AIS network or radar extractor tracker. The system features a built in logging and replay functionality which archives all system tracks and raw radar data for 10 days. The archived data can also be exported to a DVD for incident analysis.

All information will be presented on two individual visualisation units, one installed in the operations room at Zelzate Bridge and the other in the Port Commander's Department of the Ghent Port Company.

Installation works begin this month and the system will be fully operational by September.

MJ Information No: 207116