ION to provide CalMac Ferries with port management information system

ION Geophysical’s Edinburgh-based software group has won a tender for the supply of Marlin SmartPort as a port management information system to CalMac Ferries.

CalMac Ferries is a ferry operator that manages nearly 29 routes to more than 50 destinations across 322km of Scotland’s west coast.

It also operates approximately 27 ports and harbours across Scotland.

Marlin SmartPort solution will deliver port management services to 17 of CalMac’s harbours over four-year term initially.

The cloud-based solution increases the competitive position of ports while reducing costs and environmental impact, making them more efficient and attractive for vessel owners and agents to use.

It also integrates data and systems to create a common operating picture that provides improved real-time visibility, optimising decision-making across the port community.

As an example, automating port call processes can reduce administration time by 50% while cutting down errors.

CalMac ports and harbours head Cameron MacPhail said: “After an extensive tender process, we are pleased to select Marlin SmartPort as a solution that not only meets all of our immediate requirements but also provides a long-term partnership to support our evolving needs.

“ION has a strong reputation in the UK port community for an efficient, integrated digital system and a support team that helps drive innovation and value. Marlin SmartPort will support our modernisation programme to improve operational efficiencies and enhance the customer experience, as well as our on-going environmental commitment.”

ION senior vice-president Stuart Darling said: “We are delighted to be awarded this important contract from CalMac Ferries Ltd. The Marlin SmartPort solution received development funding from Scottish Enterprise at the start of the year, and this contract presents a great opportunity for us to deliver value from that investment across a wide range of harbours in Scotland.

“This award validates the competitiveness of our offering and demonstrates the breadth of Marlin to support a wide range of applications, including port and ferry management. Marlin SmartPort was developed with input from port controllers and we continue to advance the platform to cover wide a range of use cases to deliver value to ports and harbours globally.”