Navigation solution aids capacity plan

PrimePort Timaru in New Zealand has installed Trelleborg’s SafePilot CAT MAX, which enables it to berth Rio-class ships, which can handle up to 5,900 TEUs. The solution consists of heading and positioning units, which can communicate with each other and the pilot’s display via Wi-Fi. It also boasts an integrated six-axis gyro/motion sensor, offering precise and independent rate of turn, roll, and pitch. Wireless charging is possible.

Captain Thejs Pedersen, marine pilot at PrimePort Timaru, commented: “Maneuvering in the port is tricky due to under-keel clearance restrictions and a very restricted swinging room. Therefore, it was vital that we specified a high-accuracy positioning solution to enable the berthing of Rio-class ships and enhance the efficiency of our operations.

“Trelleborg’s CAT MAX allows us to view under-keel clearance data in real-time to permit the safe transit of these larger vessels and remove the risks of grounding and the increased chance of collisions. Having used Trelleborg’s SafePilot CAT ROT navigation and piloting solution for the piloting of smaller vessels, we had no hesitation in turning to them once again.”

CAT MAX delivers a speed accuracy down to 1 cm/s and a heading accuracy down to 0.01°, allowing the system to be used in the most challenging operations in confined waters and also during high-risk operations, like offshore maneuvers and oil and gas transfer.