OCIANA® Advances Port Call Optimization with Successful Validation Testing Phase Completion

OCIANA® Concludes Major Validation Phase for Collaborative Port Call Optimization

In a significant move towards enhancing maritime efficiency, OCIANA® has announced the successful completion of a critical phase of its Operational Validation Testing (OVT) for its unified digital platform. This platform has been designed to allow real-time collaboration among port stakeholders, ultimately aiming to improve the global supply chain's efficiency while also reducing ship emissions and fuel consumption.

The OVT tests are ongoing, collaborating closely with project partners who influence the development pace according to their operational priorities. To date, these tests have shown that ship operators and port stakeholders can use a unified system to exchange data in real-time. This system fosters a transparent and auditable process, eliminating the notorious fragmented communications typically associated with emails, phone calls, and spreadsheets. By streamlining these interactions, OCIANA® aims to support 'just-in-time' (JIT) arrivals and foster a more sustainable shipping practice.

Richard Kolacz, CEO of OCIANA®, expressed, "In collaboration with Canada's Ocean Supercluster's Core Technology Leadership Program, we have produced a platform that facilitates real-time information exchange among various port stakeholders. This validation marks a significant step towards providing shipping companies and port operators with a unified platform that integrates seamlessly with their existing systems. We will continue to develop this platform together with our partners, guided by their operational insights, working towards timely arrivals and reducing fuel consumption as well as ship emissions."

This innovative project has brought together technology experts from OCIANA® and major industry players such as Canada Steamship Lines (CSL), the Port Authority of Montreal, the St. Lawrence Pilotage Authority, and Clear Seas. Their collaboration aims to enhance essential planning capabilities. Leveraging already validated functionalities in daily operations, OCIANA® Ports now offers port stakeholders a centralized command center for managing berthing requests, advance arrival notifications, and modification requests, effectively centralizing information flows for quicker and more secure decision-making. Furthermore, with customizable alerts and real-time dashboards, the system can identify variations in estimated arrival times (ETA) and detect changes in ship activities before they escalate into problems.

OCIANA® Ships, now enhanced with feedback from transporters, provides carriers with a streamlined workflow for scheduling actions. Initial requests and change requests are processed via guided forms, which minimizes training time and reduces errors. Real-time status tracking and automated alerts replace manual tracking via phone or email, greatly enhancing operational efficiency. Upcoming developments include a ship-focused interface for captains and further development of the JIT tool, preparing for onboard trials.

Additionally, OVT has proven that other port stakeholders can effectively work within the same system as the ports and carriers, exchanging real-time information on vessels and requests. Designed for scalability, the platform will continue to evolve through ongoing validation and operational feedback, supporting the unique operational needs of each stakeholder while integrating with their existing systems.

Beyond function-specific gains, OCIANA® delivers cumulative value across the port community:
1. Single Source of Truth: All parties access the same data simultaneously, eliminating version control issues and minimizing disputes over communications.
2. Comprehensive Audit Capabilities: Each submission, confirmation, rejection, and modification is documented, supporting compliance and continuous improvement of processes.
3. Reduced Coordination Burden: Structured requests and automated notifications lessen the necessity for manual phone calls and emails, streamlining ship schedule management.

About OCIANA®

OCIANA® is a global provider of maritime intelligence, enabling organizations to move from awareness to action. In defense and security missions, it helps teams identify behaviors that warrant investigation, detect threats earlier, interpret intentions faster, and act with confidence. For organizations within the maritime supply chain, OCIANA® facilitates smarter planning of voyages and resources, which reduces fuel consumption, alleviates port congestion, and optimizes vessel turnaround times. OCIANA® operates under the commercial brand of Global Spatial Technology Solutions Inc.
All legal contracts, financial obligations—both past and future—and regulatory submissions remain intact under the entity of Global Spatial Technology Solutions Inc. For more information about OCIANA®, please visit ociana.com.

Quotes from Industry Leaders

"There are real benefits when all parties involved in a port call can operate from the same information. By bringing CSL's operational expertise to OCIANA, we have contributed to enabling JIT capabilities, reducing unnecessary delays, cutting fuel consumption and emissions, and enhancing port call efficiency." — Pascal Larin, VP of Digital Solutions at CSL.

"The Port Authority of Montreal is a key node for international trade, contributing to Canada’s economic development and prosperity. We are proud to have participated in developing a collaborative digital platform designed to benefit the entire maritime community. This platform will strengthen our growth capabilities and help us adapt to a constantly evolving environment while successfully fulfilling our mission." — Jean-François Belzile, Senior Director of Strategic Projects and Maritime Operations, Port Authority of Montreal.

"Better coordination of vessel arrivals can reduce unnecessary waits and anchoring, assuring communities that maritime traffic is managed efficiently and transparently, with less impact on both the environment and local communities." — Paul Blomerus, CEO of Clear Seas.