Digital piloting

The eMPX programme was developed by Ports of Auckland and helps pilots guide ships into harbours without the need for paper-based processes. Already in use in New Zealand and Australia it will now be employed across Associated British Ports 21 ports following a successful trial last year.

“It has been great working with Ports of Auckland to develop this new software for ABP’s pilots, and we are delighted to work with the team in New Zealand to make it happen,” said James Clark, technical authority marine at ABP.

“Not only does this simplify the process in terms of a paper-to-digital process, but we will now be in a position to send ships information about their planned passage ahead of time, which all contributes to better bridge resource management as well as providing our customers with better information.”

Using an iPad, pilots will be able to plan ahead of a vessel’s arrival at port, before sharing the plans and port data with ships’ masters, with the ability to update the plan if a ship is delayed. Data can also be stored in the cloud, readily available for future reference.

The use of eMPX is part of ABP’s long-term vision for digitalisation. Already in use in Southampton, ABP plans to roll out eMPX with pilots in its other 20 ports by the end of 2022.