Weather safety innovation

Vaisala’s weather station solution collects real-time hyperlocal observations from the port area. Combined with the real-time port data sharing and control system developed by Unikie, it enhances port operations and improves safety.

Mikko Nikkanen, vice president of Vaisala’s marine business, said: “The Vaisala Beacon weather station network enables accurate detection of key weather parameters such as wind speed and direction and rainfall throughout the port area.

”Accurate weather information helps port operators in their day-to-day decision-making, improves port security and streamlines operations. The collected weather data can also be used in the future to support the port’s infrastructure planning and thus prepare for changing climatic conditions and extreme weather events.”

Real-time solution

Unikie has implemented a real-time snapshot solution for the port environment, with significant new features provided by local weather data from Vaisala’s weather station solution.

The port flow optimisation (POLO) environment developed by Unikie for intelligent port operations enhances the flow of information in ports by combining information collected from the equipment of different port operators into a real-time information sharing, warning and control system.

POLO’s user interface, Port Activity App, is already in use in 15 Finnish ports and in Gävle, Sweden.

The local weather information generated by Vaisala Beacon weather stations can be used by all port operators to use it, either on a computer browser or on a smart device via a mobile application.

Local weather information is combined with all operational information available on port operations.

By utilising machine learning, the collected information can be used to make recommendations for action, and thus to be better prepared for possible hazards or delays.