Straits forecast launched

A revolutionary information service to improve Straits shipping has been launched in Singapore. The product, called STRAITSFORECAST, is now available to shippers, shipping agents, port authorities and professionals. It will provide high-quality information and risk-management tools to manage efficiency, safety, security and environmental performance in the busy waters of the Port of Singapore.

It has been developed by Info@SEA Pte Ltd, a Meteorological-Ocean (Met-Ocean) information services provider, a joint venture company established by BMT Asia Pacific Ltd (a subsidiary of BMT Ltd), The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and DHI Water & Environment Pte Ltd.

As an online planning tool for ships, berths and terminal operators, STRAITSFORECAST will provide high-resolution forecast tidal current flow patterns and tidal data. This offers assistance to ships navigating through complex currents and terminals to establish safe berthing windows in strong tidal flows. It also enables ports to expand the use of their berths, hence delivering a greater return on investment.

David Wignall, Chief Executive of BMT?s Asia Pacific division, says: “This is a very exciting and innovative web service that will improve the overall safety of ships and shipping lines, initially in the Singapore Straits. With Singapore being one of the busiest shipping hubs in the world, and the Malacca and Singapore Straits being a busy shipping passage, users of the information services will be able to apply analysis, prediction and forecast modelling to maritime activities in order to better manage risk.”