Developer forum is a monthly recurring digital event offering Navelink users and stakeholders the chance to discuss development progress and coming focus areas. One of the main topics discussed during the latest Navelink Developer forum, held on the 26th of January 2023, was standardization. In addition, a presentation about Navi-Port was held by Alexey Galka, Senior Product Owner at Wärtsilä.  

 

Discussions about standardization 

There is a lot of ongoing work in the STM community regarding services and standardization of data formats, such as S-124, S-421 and AtoN, as well as service specifications.  

Standardization will come when it’s mature, and implementations shouldn’t wait for standardization if the maritime arena wants development. At the same time, it’s not feasible to go forward with every possible implementation suggested. Rather, the list should be narrowed. A lot of possible implementation combinations for future solutions exist and are discussed in several working groups and forums. Some of the implementations discussed are VDES, Internet, REST and MMS. One of the questions asked is: 

Should there be bridges between different solutions or should users be required to have duplicate technologies? 

Feedback and input are asked from Navelink users about what solutions should be implemented in the future. Navelink also welcomes the input of our users about functions that might be currently missing in Navelink and should be added.  

 

A presentation about Wärtsilä Navi-Port 

Alexey Galka, Senior Product Owner at Wärtsilä, held a presentation about Navi-Port. Wärtsilä Navi-Port is a solution that connects a ship’s navigation system to the port and enables just-in-time arrivals. Its communication processes use Navelink for authentication of clients. 

By facilitating accurate arrival times between ports and ships, Navi-Port enables vessels to adjust speed to achieve just-in-time arrival automatically. A ship’s speed reduction by 10 percent can reduce pollution by 30 percent. By eliminating early arrivals of incoming ships, the ships don’t need to queue outside the port. In the event of changed conditions at port during the ship’s voyage, modification to course and speed is possible. Dynamic real-time data sharing enables improved coordination. Navi-Port also offers ports better and more efficient port and terminal operations planning while also reducing congestion, emissions, noise pollution and the risk of collisions.  

 

Don’t forget to RSVP to the Developer Forum meeting series for 2023. Our next Developer Forum will be held on the 23rd of February 2023 at 14:00h CET.  

 

Author: Milena Dalinaros