Saab receives Hong Kong vessel traffic services contract

Saab will renew the existing Vessel Traffic Services System operating in Hong Kong waters under a £31 million contract from the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced on 9 October.

The Vessel Traffic Services System enables operators of the Hong Kong Marine Department to monitor the complex shipping in real-time and to provide vessel traffic services within the Hong Kong waters.

The complicated mix of vessels operating in busy Hong Kong waters presents a challenging traffic services environment. Super large container vessels interact with other types of vessels, whilst navigating through limited water space within the major fairways. These vessels have to interact with dense local traffic such as high speed ferries and fishing vessels.

To enhance navigational safety, the traffic must be tracked and monitored in real-time within Hong Kong territorial waters, with hundreds of islands scattered throughout the area adding to the challenge of providing a clear operational overview.

Gunilla Fransson, head of business area Security and Defence Solutions, Saab, said: ‘This contract underscores the confidence that our customer has in our civil traffic management offer and our abilities to implement such a complex project. State-of-the-art sensor technologies, advanced multi-sensor data fusion and display processing systems will make this project a success.’

Saab will deliver on the programme during 2015 and 2016.