New GNS Voyager Planning Station Ready

The maritime services group Global Navigation Solutions (GNS) has announced a further enhancement to its Voyager Planning Station (VPS), with the addition of tools to manage compliance with special environmental requirements under International Maritime Organization (IMO) MARPOL regulations.

The specialist providers of maritime navigation information, solutions and support to the global shipping industry said in a press release that the upgrade comes as part of the release of Voyager 7.3.4, making it easier for users to manage MARPOL compliance with designated Special Areas, Emission Control Areas and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas.

"The new feature gives users the ability to view up to date areas under MARPOL as an overlay on either a map or an ENC from within Voyager," said the release.

Its route planning function has also been enhanced to enable users to quickly and easily identify and display intersecting special areas along with the relevant entry and exit points and zone entry times, it added.

“Voyager has become an indispensable part of our customers’ everyday working lives, from helping them to navigate safely, manage compliance and undertake an increasing range of bridge tasks more efficiently,” said Hayley van Leeuwen, GNS’s Director of Product and Marketing.

“This latest version of Voyager PLANNING STATION extends our commitment to helping users better manage navigational compliance with simple, but very effective new tools,” Hayley added.

The new MARPOL feature is being released to all Voyager PLANNING STATION subscribers free of charge and will shortly be available as a patch download.