New Zealand-based Navicom Dynamics has won a contract from Irshad, the Abu Dhabi Petroleum Ports Operating Company, to supply the Portable Pilotage Units (PPUs) required for safe navigation of ships in the port of Ruwais, in western Abu Dhabi.

Navicom Dynamics specialises in designing and producing state of the art Portable Pilotage Units to enhance port safety and efficiency.

Established in 2003 in New Zealand, the company has grown to become the world leader for these innovative new systems, with significant customers in every continent.

Irshad said it took delivery of two of Navicom’s signature HarbourPilot Lightweight systems for their Ruwais operations last month.

Due to the port’s narrow winding entrance channel and often very limited visibility, Navicom Dynamics’ revolutionary portable navigation units will help navigate vessels through the difficult Ruwais approach channel with precision, said a top official.

“We are thrilled to be working with Irshad for their Ruwais operations for the first time and look forward to building a profitable relationship.We have delivered the first order of the HarbourPilot Lightweight systems this month, and the training with their team has been very successful,' remarked Peter Selwyn, general manager of Navicom Dynamics.

'The products are now in place, and the feedback so far has been extremely positive, with potential for a larger order of more units not too far away,' he noted.

'The systems are also unique in that they are Bluetooth or WIFI enabled, so don’t require a licensed frequency for connecting to the pilot’s laptop,' he added.

The PPUs, he said, are an important tool for pilots to avoid accidents and provide safer movement of ships through busy waters, allowing more precise berthing and an increased operating window in poor visibility and at night.

'Our units provide pilots with their own source of extremely accurate heading and positioning data that is fully independent of the ships systems, giving them invaluable assistance in determining present and future positions of the ship.'

The HarbourPilot Lightweight is the latest version of Navicom’s PPU systems, and is the smallest and lightest full-function PPU available in the market worldwide.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) have supported Navicom in developing their business network in the region.

On the company’s success, Wayne Mikkelsen, NZTE’s Dubai-based Trade Commissioner, said, 'New Zealand has established a world class marine industry that is growing rapidly in response to the international demand for technologically-advanced and innovative products and services.'

'Navicom is a prime example of New Zealand’s expertise in this sector. The company is at the cutting-edge of pilotage technology and their systems are revolutionising the way ports function with products that are renowned for their state of the art technology, ease of use and accuracy,' he observed.

“In addition to their new partnership with Irshad, Navicom have already received an extremely positive response from the regional marine and port sector, and we are certain the company is destined for much success here,” he added.

Captain Cheikh Atbi, Marine Competency & Training Specialist at Irshad said, 'We selected Navicom after a rigorous tender process and are very happy with our choice. The equipment is so far performing to our entire satisfaction.'-TradeArabia News Service