Text and photo by SAAB
Saab is proud to announce its delivering its flagship Pilot Dispatch Management System (PDMS) PilotControl to Gladstone Ports Corporation’s (GPC) Gladstone Marine Pilots (GMPS). Forward planning and accurate assignment of marine pilots to vessel traffic can be challenging. As a domain expert, Saab helps pilot groups around the globe to streamline their processes while incorporating varied and complex rules and rostering needs. Saab helps clients eliminate duplicate data entry, improve stakeholder communications and provides integration options with 3rd party IT systems.
The Pilot Dispatch team will gain streamlined access to all pertinent information, helping them to make timely and informed decisions. Saab is able to achieve all this and more for GMPS through its unique PilotControl web dispatching dashboard and pilot-friendly smart phone application. GMPS will also be backed 24/7 by Saab’s dedicated support team to ensure continuity of port operations.
Head of Maritime Traffic Management at Saab, Tomas Hjelmberg said the project further consolidates Saab’s position as leading supplier of advanced pilot dispatch management systems. “A larger user base benefits all our customers as it speeds up our development of new functionality. Saab is excited for this project as GMPS have elected to interface their PDMS direct with Maritime Safety Queensland’s (MSQ) Port Community System (PCS) called QSHIPS,” he said.
The GMPS Marine Pilot team facilitate more than 4600 pilotage jobs annually and with the new application they will be able to display up-to-date information.
GPC’S GMPS manager Capt. Lincoln Tedman said the application would increase efficiency. “We have a very professional and dedicated team of pilots whom safely guide ships into and out of our ports 24-7 and 365 days a year. It is vital our pilots have the necessary and the latest tools to conduct their work at the highest safety standard. We coordinate very closely with Maritime Safety Queensland to ensure shipping to our ports is provided safely, efficiently and at the highest standard possible. The application will further improve our internationally accredited services,” he said.