Norwegian technology company Vissim has been contracted to deliver a Centralized Vessel Monitoring and Alerting System (CVMAS) to Qatar. The system is designed to enhance safety and security for offshore assets, improve efficiency in vessel logistics, and contribute towards reduced CO₂ emissions and increased maritime situational awareness.

CVMAS will provide comprehensive monitoring and alerting capabilities, covering Qatar’s coastline and more than 300 offshore assets.

“Our software systems deliver a fully digitized and user-friendly overview of vessel traffic across Qatar’s waters, including its coastline and offshore assets, ensuring enhanced maritime safety for all vessels and infrastructure in the region,” says Benedicte Stiberg, Vissim’s regional director for the Middle East, who is based in Dubai, UAE.

The core of Vissim’s technology is a specially designed software platform which, through input from millions of data points, provides situational awareness of the geographical area and increases understanding of maritime safety, security, and efficiency.

Joint operations centre

In Qatar, Vissim’s Centralized Vessel Monitoring and Alerting System (CVMAS) integrates various data sources, including the automatic vessel identification system (AIS), weather data from platforms like Storm and Vaisala, and radar technology, to provide a detailed maritime overview. Additionally, CVMAS integrates with maritime tools and platforms, including personnel and logistics management systems such as SkyTrac and DaWinci, and geographic mapping tools like ArcGIS. This integration also includes monitoring helicopter traffic and personnel onboard offshore assets, further enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

The processed data is presented in an intuitive and comprehensive format at QatarEnergy’s Joint Operations Centre in Doha, to support effective decision-making. The Joint Operations Centre is a collaborative initiative between the oil and gas operators in Qatar, providing real-time situational awareness and improving maritime coordination in Qatar’s waters.

Vissim is delivering the system as a subcontractor to Qatar-based Bin Omran Trading & Telecommunications, which oversees local project management and offshore installation.

“Equipped with 24/7 surveillance, the system continuously monitors maritime activities, using an alarm mechanism to prioritize critical events. This not only enhances asset protection and maritime operations but also improves ocean space awareness by delivering a clear and actionable understanding of activities across Qatar’s waters,” adds Benedicte Stiberg.

Operational in 2025.

The plan is to have the system operational during the first half of 2025.

“Our technology is designed with the future in mind, designed to evolve with industry needs. With a strong focus on cybersecurity, we ensure that our systems remain robust, secure, and ready to tackle emerging challenges in maritime operations,” concludes Stiberg.