Using available technology in an innovative and across the board manner will not only save the time and money of our customers, but provide better information to the whole industry.'

Transas has had a noteable year. In May, the company and the Department of Merchant Shipping, Ministry of Communications and Works (DMS) signed a contract for the Coastal Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) for the Republic of Cyprus.

The main aim of the VTMIS is to improve maritime safety, pollution prevention and it will assist in combating illegal immigration, smuggling and other illegal activities. The main control will be located at the DMS Headquarters in Limassol.

The Marine and Port Police and KSED Search and Rescue Authority will benefit from the system with operator displays detailing important information about vessels operating in Cyprus territorial waters at distances up to 100 miles from the coast.

The system will include two high performance coastal surveillance radars at the Ports of Limassol and Larnaca. The Limassol radar will be sited on the silo inside the port and will provide coverage of the Limassol Port area and approaches. The Larnaca Port radar will be sited on a new 20m mast alongside the existing port control room and will provide coverage of the Larnaca port area and approaches, the Moorings and Larnaca Bay.

The completed system is scheduled to be officially handed over to DMS early next year. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and will support the implementation of a Trans-European transport network infrastructure, which is a key EU objective.

Transas have installed a number of VTMIS systems including the Bulgaria National VTMIS System, the Latvian National Automatic Identification System, the Gulf of Finland Maritime Safety System and the National Coastal Surveillance System for the Republic of Malta. Around the world the company have installed over 150 smaller port and harbour coastal surveillance systems in the last ten years.

Visitors can find Transas at Stand 312 this year at Europort Maritime.