printer friendly version

Connecting harbours at a single hub

Trondheim Harbour faces challenging environmental and safety situations as a result of harsh Scandinavian weather, heavy freight transport and large passenger traffic.

Nordic winds can cause cargo containers to sway while hoisted high above cranes; tractor-trailers sometimes damage the piers when unloading cargo; and boats become unmoored. As a hub for 12 neighbouring harbours, Trondheim needed to advance its video surveillance system in order to centrally monitor all 13 sites which included Trondheim Harbour plus the neighbouring 12 harbours. This surveillance needed to take place from a single location so they could become more proactive in addressing harbour issues.

Triangel Consulting, a Milestone partner, designed a complete solution using Milestone XProtect Corporate 2016, XProtect Smart Client, and Milestone Mobile to bring all locations together. The majority of cameras are Axis cameras, Q-series for the dome and some from their P-series. Axis thermal cameras Q1921 and Axis P3344 optical cameras were also installed and loaded with Milestone products. These cameras are connected to XProtect Smart Client through a 4G modem.

Protecting the environment in instances of oil leaks during ship refuelling, reduced theft, less vandalism, and, most importantly, improved management of shipping traffic were the primary advantages of implementing the new system. Easy integration between cameras, analytics and other systems was also a major benefit.

A seamless integration and coordination of different locales was key. “With so many sites dotted along the waterway, it was vital that there was a good overview and the new system has definitely provided that,” stated Terje Halvorsen, Harbour Inspector.

Nordic weather raises risks

Trondheim Port Authority is owned by 13 municipalities and is the region’s largest port authority. It sits midway along the coastline of a heavily trafficked Norwegian fjord affected by cold, wet and windy Scandinavian weather. Strong winds seriously affect containers that are being off-loaded and ships can become unmoored.

Milestone VMS now enables security personnel to get a sharp overview of safety issues and to respond far more quickly.

Milestone software allows security to put extra focus on identified high-risk zones. With Milestone XProtect software they can retrieve footage from an incident for insurance purposes or provide evidence to police authorities in incidents of a more serious nature. The Milestone Smart Client, has advanced investigation tools and an easy-to-navigate video timeline enabling users to examine incidents quickly and accurately.

Accidents and environmental monitoring

With heavy freight and shipping traffic, accidents and environmental occurrences are a natural part of the landscape. One example is when a ship occasionally bangs into a pier causing damage that must be repaired. The ability to document the incident and record any expenses raises the service offerings Trondheim Harbour provides to its customers. Another example occurs when authorities spot a ship leaking oil during refuelling. It is vital for the health of the waterways to respond to such an incident immediately and take mitigating action.

The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code is an amendment to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention (1974/1988) on minimum security arrangements for ships, ports and government agencies. Having come into force in 2004, it prescribes responsibilities to governments, shipping companies, shipboard personnel, and port/facility personnel to detect security threats and take preventative measures against security incidents affecting ships or port facilities used in international trade. Adhering to ISPS code was vital in Triangel’s installation.

Centralised monitoring using Milestone surveillance software has shortened response time for patrol guards to react and respond when an incident occurs. Milestone software advances safety monitoring and elevates control during environmental incidents. The mobile client is often used by patrolling harbour guards.

A future-proof solution

Currently, monitoring is centralised at a single site, but may be expanded to multiple sites once the nearby harbours are connected to Trondheim’s video centre. Other technologies in use are local fibre and radio links on the mountains covering up to 43 km with 100 mbit/s. The Harbour Port Authority installs cameras and infrastructure themselves while Triangel helps with the design and other expertise.

Trondheim Harbour upgraded its system so it now has approximately 70 cameras in total. It plans to expand with an additional 30-40 cameras and connect the video solutions from nearby harbours. It projects replacing older cameras with new 5 MP and 4 K cameras.

Share this article:

Further reading: