According to its own information the Port of Rotterdam has become the first in the world to establish a direct digital link with a national hydrographic service, creating electronic nautical charts with up-to-date terminal and berth information. In cooperation with the Royal Netherlands navy hydrographic service, the port has introduced Global location numbers (Gln) for infrastructure. Previously, terminal and berth data were name-based, with ownership changes often causing confusion.

The Glns are now integrated into the 'harbour master management system' and the 'port community system portbase', with updates shared twice daily. This aims to ensure reliability. "Thanks to near real-time updates, ships and berths can be matched automatically," stated the company. (js)

www.portofrotterdam.com