NAVTOR Provides Easier Way to Distribute AVCS (Norway)

Pioneering E-navigation business NAVTOR has announced a landmark agreement with the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) that will see its market leading ADMIRALTY Vector Chart Service (AVCS) distributed on the NAVTOR NavStick USB device. The deal will also see all Admiralty Digital Publications made available on the NavStick.

At present AVCS is distributed to mariners via mailed CDs, with updates also mainly being delivered through the post. NAVTOR’s NavStick will revolutionise this system, providing an intelligent, quick and effortless way for navigators to access all the latest information.

NAVTOR Business and Communication Manager Willy Zeiler explains: “This is a major step forward for the industry, and a brand new distribution model,” he notes. “The NavStick USB device gives mariners access to global AVCS coverage and all licences for predefined operation areas. Installation onto the ship’s ECDIS is simple, while NAVTOR’s online programme NavSync allows the user to retrieve AVCS updates with just a few clicks when the NavStick is connected to the bridge computer.”

He continues: “No more CDs and worrying about the latest updates, just a simple, time and labour saving way to access the very best, and latest, Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs).”

NAVTOR’s Managing Director Tor A. Svanes, known to many in the industry as the founder of C-Map Norway, calls the agreement “a milestone” for the business.

He states: “We’re delighted to join forces with the UKHO and be able to offer official ENCs from the world leader in nautical chart supply. Via AVCS, we can offer the most extensive ENC coverage delivered in a more manageable format. I am confident that this new approach to distribution will have a major impact in simplifying ENC handling for the mariner. Furthermore, it will make a positive contribution to the e-Navigation mission statement of enhancing navigational safety.”

Neil Holloway, the UKHO Global Account Manager, sees huge potential in this new arrangement.

“It has been exciting for me to follow the development at NAVTOR and come to this agreement,” he says.

“At the UKHO we rely on our Distributor network to go to market with the ADMIRALTY products and services, so combining forces with NAVTOR will enhance the way we offer AVCS to mariners. Getting AVCS distributed in an easier way is important, but what’s more important is being able to offer the market a far easier way of handling the ‘total solution’ package of all ADMIRALTY products, including Admiralty Digital Products (ADP) and ADMIRALTY Information Overlay (AIO).

“Now we have an efficient method to support a huge number of vessels, especially those who may be reliant on unofficial private chart data. This new delivery approach for AVCS will definitely be a solution for them to transfer to authorized and official ENCs.”

The IMO’s ECDIS mandate requires all registered vessels to use ENCs as their prime navigation charts. This mandate came into operation last year, with a need to comply with regulations by 2018.

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NAVTOR, April 29, 2013