Alcatel-Lucent completes first stage of National Maritime Safety System modernization project in Poland using IP/MPLS technology

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU), working as consortium leader together with the consulting and technology multinational company, Indra, has successfully completed the deployment of an IP/MPLS technology-based information, monitoring, management and control system that will enable Poland’s maritime authority to increase operational efficiency and safety at ports and in the Baltic Sea.

The National Maritime Safety System has been developed in cooperation with Poland’s three regional maritime offices (Gdynia, Szczecin and Słupsk) and with the Maritime Search & Rescue Service (SAR). It provides support for monitoring and analysis of maritime traffic, threat warning and national and international maritime safety information and communications, the prevention of accidents and environmental hazards, and the coordination of fast response efforts in emergency situations.

Alcatel-Lucent in cooperation with Indra was responsible for designing the technical project specifications, managing implementation, constructing and modernizing the coast station architecture (including new radar towers), and integrating and implemening all sub-systems and technologies.  Alcatel-Lucent and Indra implemented three Vessel Traffic Services systems, while developing  and modernizing  the maritime authorities existing telecom infrastructure.

Key elements of the project have included the design and modernization of the national network of marine radio communications for maritime offices, based on modern, integrated marine VHF communication systems. The project has also encompassed  the construction and implementation of the first stage of the National Network of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Alcatel-Lucent and Indra will also be responsible for ongoing maintenance of the operational system of this project, known as KSMB stage I.

With increasing maritime traffic to Poland, 18 sea ports, a 440 km national maritime border, 68 km of the Szczecin – Świnoujście farwater and 40% of its population living within the sub-basin of the Baltic Sea, the introduction of the new technology is important for Polish economic growth. The Polish Government has invested heavily in its maritime industry, an example of which is the construction of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Świnoujście. The new Vessel Traffic Management Services systems and direct monitoring of  mission-critical infrastructure based on Alcatel-Lucent technology will improve safety across all shipping ports of entry.

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Jan Młotkowski, Deputy Director of the Maritime Office in Gdynia said: ”Leveraging Alcatel-Lucent’s technologies and expertise we can improve the availability, efficiency and security of maritime transportation around Poland.”

Andrzej Dulka, CEO of Alcatel-Lucent Poland said: “We are privileged to assist in the transformation of the Polish Maritime Administration into a modern and well equipped service. We had a clear vision, proven technology and expertise that fully met the needs of the Polish Administration. What we have put in place is a highly reliable system that seamlessly integrates legacy systems with new technology to provide Polish Maritime Office with the best available security and monitoring network.”