NAVTOR reveals 80/20 split in favour of PAYS ENCs and pushes for greater global acceptance
E-navigation specialist NAVTOR believes that hydrographic authorities yet to allow the use of ‘pay as you sail’ (PAYS) ENCs in their national waters are lagging behind clear industry demand. The firm, which launched the first ever type approved PAYS ENC service to the market in 2012, says that over 80% of its subscribers now use PAYS - a delivery method that supplies clear efficiency benefits to an industry that is now, more than ever, defined by cost control and the effective use of resources, the Company said in a media release.
Unlike traditional ENC subscription models, which are based on set areas and time scales, NAVTOR’s PAYS only levies charges for the charts navigators actually use during voyages, while allowing them to instantly access any chart for planning. This distribution method is now widely accepted by the industry, and most authorities, but has yet to be approved by key bodies controlling some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
“Shipowners and operators are increasingly migrating to PAYS,” comments NAVTOR CEO Tor Svanes. “It’s a flexible, user-friendly and very cost effective way to navigate, with simple ordering and management of the ENCs that vessels and global fleets actually use.
“Furthermore, it’s transparent – with users and managers seeing exactly what they are paying for – and the fact that all charts (including licences and permits) are instantly available, and easy to update, online means no lengthy pre-ordering process, or unnecessary wastage associated with un-used charts.
“In a tight market, it’s yet another way to keep track of operational expenditure and cut down on paperwork and man-hours.”
Svanes says that while more than 80% of NAVTOR’s customers have now selected PAYS, some key authorities have been slow to react. He explains:
“We see no compelling reason why some hydrographic authorities have yet to licence charts for PAYS use. It’s good to see that Indonesia has recently moved to accept the model, but there remain a number of principle players that we think should re-address their stance to serve the market they serve, control and support.
“We, and the industry, would like to see this change in the very near future.”
Svanes makes the comments at a time when NAVTOR is celebrating its fifth anniversary in the marketplace. In that time, the firm has established itself as a global leader in e-navigation, releasing innovative products and services that streamline and simplify tasks for navigators, while enhancing safety, security and efficiency for shipowners and operators.
“We’re incredibly proud of what’s been achieved since we opened our doors in Egersund, Norway, in 2011,” he concludes. “With an established network of offices that stretches from Europe to Asia, and agents worldwide, we’re dedicated to helping customers everywhere realise the enormous potential and benefits of e-navigation.
“It’s been a wonderful journey so far and we’re looking forward to where our innovation, and the industry’s growing appreciation of digital navigation technology, can take us in the future. For the time being our next destination will be SMM, where we’ll be demonstrating our products and services for the international maritime community at the Norwegian Pavilion.”
About NAVTOR
NAVTOR is a market leader in the provision of innovative e-navigation solutions, services and technology for the maritime sector. All of NAVTOR’s products and services are developed in line with the company philosophy of simplifying tasks, increasing efficiency and improving operations. Through the application of cutting edge digital technology, NAVTOR’s team makes life easier for navigators, and safer, clearer and more efficient for shipowners and operators.
The firm was established in 2011 and is headquartered in Egersund, Norway, with subsidiaries in St Petersburg, Russia (NAVTOR Russia LLC), Singapore (NAVTOR Singapore Ltd. Ptd.), Japan (NAVTOR Japan K.K.) and Sweden (NAVTOR NAUTIC AB).