PortVision Launches $500,000 Grant Initiative to Help Improve U.S. Port and Waterway Efficiency, Safety and Security

Houston, TX – PortVision®, a leading provider of business intelligence solutions for the maritime industry, today launched the PortVision CONNECT initiative, which includes a $500,000 commitment to fund the development and implementation of web-based solutions that help non-profit maritime organizations enhance port and waterway efficiency, safety and security for their stakeholders. Eligible PortVision CONNECT grant participants include harbor safety committees, trade associations, marine exchanges and other industry organizations that have a primarily maritime mission.

“We all depend on our ports and waterways as the backbone of America’s freight and cargo transportation infrastructure,” said Dean Rosenberg, PortVision chief executive officer. “PortVision has a unique opportunity to help optimize the performance of this vitally important shared resource, leveraging our expertise in delivering vessel-tracking and marine terminal management software solutions that are now used by more than 2,000 customers. Everyone at PortVision is excited to participate in this initiative, and we look forward to discussing project ideas with grant applicants.”

PortVision personnel regularly support the maritime community through active participation in industry organizations, and the company also hosts industry gatherings that bring together marine terminal management and operations personnel for dialog, brainstorming, and networking. The PortVision CONNECT grant initiative extends these activities with a $500,000 project funding commitment, which includes dedicated staff members who will collaborate with grant recipients on development and implementation. Pending projects include gate pass portals that streamline terminal access, information portals for real-time data access, real-time resource scheduling, and waterway alert systems.

Heading up the PortVision CONNECT initiative is Jason Tieman, the company’s director of maritime operations. Tieman has a diverse background in the maritime industry and, in addition to his role at PortVision, also serves as Lieutenant Commander in the Coast Guard Reserves at Sector Houston- Galveston.

“As a maritime industry partner and a leader in providing vessel traffic analytics and intelligence for this domain, we know how to bridge the critical information gap between waterway stakeholders,” Tieman said. “Our goal is to help grantees facilitate better coordination and awareness of waterway impacts and vessel scheduling, so they can greatly enhance safety and achieve the most efficient waterway utilization. These efforts will also help improve visibility so these organizations can make more informed decisions for their stakeholders, while delivering a number of other benefits including less congestion, better traffic prioritization, and a reduction in fuel consumption, excessive emissions and wait times.”

Maritime organizations interested in participating in PortVision CONNECT can obtain more information and download an application at www.portvision.com/connect . As part of the grant application process, organizations must demonstrate that their project will enhance efficiency, safety or security for their stakeholders, and that it can serve as a model for expansion across the industry. PortVision will fund up to 100 percent of software development and operating costs for approved projects.

About PortVision
PortVision’s web-based enterprise software and services help oil companies, marine terminal operators, fleet owners/operators and other maritime users improve business operations through instant, continuous visibility into vessel and terminal activities. PortVision’s enterprise software solutions leverage the company’s Automated Identification System (AIS) vessel-tracking service to automate and enhance operations, reduce costs, improve safety and security, and drive better business decisions. The PortVision service also has been deployed by homeland security agencies and government and regulatory bodies, incident responders, insurance providers and legal entities. Based in Houston, Texas, PortVision is a service of AIRSIS Inc., a San Diego-based technology company. For more information, visit http://www.portvision.com, follow us on http://www.linkedin.com/company/portvision, or call 1-713-337-3737.
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PortVision is a registered trademark of AIRSIS Incorporated.

By Professional Mariner Staff