ATLAS Maritime Security wins order for renewal of vessel traffic systems to safeguard shipping along the German coast

• Advancement of one of the world’s most modern VTS systems
• 46 new interconnected radar stations will monitor 2300 km of coastline
• Managing Director ATLAS MS, Arnd Helmetag: ATLAS MS is expanding its leading market position

Bremen/Unterschleissheim – ATLAS Maritime Security (ATLAS MS) will be refurbishing the vessel traffic systems at the German coast, thus making a major contribution towards the safety of shipping in German coastal waters. The corresponding order was received recently by ATLAS MS, a company of the ATLAS ELEKTRONIK Group, from the Waterways and Shipping Office (WSA) in Wilhelmshaven.

The contract includes the delivery of “Traffic Services” within the scope of the “Maritime Traffic Management System” (SMV), a sweeping modernization of the 46 existing radar stations and partial replacement of the equipment with new radars.

The corresponding data processing facilities will be grouped together in three computer centres. The user interface for monitoring vessel movements will be harmonized for the entire coast in all traffic control centres. Initially, it will be possible for the control centres of the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV) to operate the current system in parallel, in order to achieve a smooth transition to the new technology.

Arnd Helmetag, Managing Director of ATLAS MS, said: “We are proud to be involved in establishing one of most modern vessel traffic systems in the world. Through the development of trailblazing technologies, we will also be able to expand our leading position in the global maritime security market. With this contract, vital technologies and industrial capacities are being kept and fostered in Germany.”

The prime task of the Maritime Traffic Management System ordered by the Waterways and Shipping Office is the complete and continuous surveillance of the 2300 kilometres of coastline right around the clock on 365 days of the year, as part of the ongoing effort to avert ship accidents and collisions, protect lives and prevent environmental disasters.

Based in Bremen and Unterschleissheim, ATLAS MS will be making an important contribution towards the fundamental modernization of the maritime traffic management technology deployed along Germany’s coasts. Here the aim is to implement a modular, networked and highly advanced system for traffic monitoring that will meet the very highest requirements applying for the safety of shipping in the 21st century. To achieve this ambitious goal, ATLAS MS will deliver a top-grade VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) system offering fail-safety with proven equipment and state-of-the-art data processing software.

Kai Horten, Managing Director of ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, the parent company of ATLAS MS, commented: “This major contract emphasizes the fact that maritime security today is inseparably linked with the name ATLAS ELEKTRONIK and the other Group companies. For us, this represents an important step forward in extending and strengthening our leading global position in this market segment.”

As a member of the ATLAS ELEKTRONIK Group, ATLAS Maritime Security GmbH is a specialist for maritime security solutions that is active worldwide. Currently, ATLAS Maritime Security GmbH is poised to merge with Sofrelog SAS, a subsidiary of Cassidian, formerly EADS Defence & Security. Besides VTS systems for merchant shipping, its product portfolio also includes systems for coastal surveillance, port management and blue border control.

Technical background:
This extremely complex system is characterized by a high degree of modularity and interoperability, making it possible to integrate external data sources from national and multinational information networks or from commercial operators of surveillance facilities (such as wind farms) smoothly into the system.

The nautical experts at the traffic control centres in Wilhelmshaven, Bremerhaven, Cuxhaven, Brunsbüttel and Travemünde, and later also in Emden and Bremen, will be given a comprehensive overview of all ship movements along the German coastline. Uninterrupted surveillance of all traffic zones along the German coast will be given top priority during the refurbishment of the Maritime Traffic Management System. This will be guaranteed by concurrent operation of the old and the new system, in which the modernization of the system will be realized in parallel and without adverse effects on the availability on the current system. Here ATLAS MS will be able to draw on its decades of experience worldwide in the implementation of complex traffic control and coastal surveillance systems.

ATLAS Maritime Security (ATLAS MS)
As a member of the ATLAS ELEKTRONIK Group, ATLAS Maritime Security GmbH is a specialist for maritime security solutions that is active worldwide. Besides VTS systems for merchant shipping, its product portfolio also includes systems for coastal surveillance, port management and blue border control.

ATLAS ELEKTRONIK
The ATLAS ELEKTRONIK Group stands for maritime and naval solutions above and below the ocean surface. The company holds a leading position in all fields of maritime high technology, from command & control systems including radio & communication systems for submarines, surface combatants and mine warfare systems and ranging to heavyweight torpedoes, coastal surveillance systems and in-service support. ATLAS has established a worldwide customer portfolio. The electronics specialist is a joint company of ThyssenKrupp and EADS and has a workforce of over 1900 highly skilled employees.

For further information please contact:
ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GmbH
Dr. Jens Krüger
Head of Communications, Political Affairs
Tel.: +49-(0)421-457 3932
Fax.: +49-(0)421-457 3737
Email: jens.krueger@atlas-elektronik.com

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