Project Challenges

The PLA required a VTS system specification that:

• Reflected the operational needs of a large and diverse VTS team.
• Integrated with existing and future IT infrastructure.
• Complied with IALA standards, national regulations, and international data protocols.
• Supported strategic goals, including digital transformation and enhanced safety for vessels navigating in the constrained and busy waters of the Thames Estuary.

The challenge was to balance technical requirements with user needs, ensuring the system would be both robust and intuitive for operators managing high volumes of traffic in a dynamic marine ecosystem.

Solution

NASH Maritime undertook a structured discovery process, engaging closely with the PLA’s IT and VTS departments to:

• Identify mandatory and desirable system requirements.
• Understand operational workflows and user expectations.
• Align the specification with IT security, software integration, and data governance needs.
• Ensure compatibility with national and international maritime standards.

This foundational work informed the PLA’s subsequent refinement of the specification, which was later used to develop the tender documentation for the new VTS system.

Additional Support

NASH Maritime’s work was supported by Halcro Electronics and AFS Consultants, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to system design and specification. The project demonstrated NASH Maritime’s ability to bridge operational, technical, and strategic priorities in complex port environments.

Transferable Experience to Port Digitalisation and Offshore Infrastructure

This project reflects NASH Maritime’s broader expertise in supporting maritime port authorities with digital transformation initiatives. Their structured approach to discovery and specification development is directly applicable to ports supporting offshore wind power, floating wind farms, and other marine infrastructure requiring advanced traffic management and decision-support systems.