Marine Atlantic Inc - live with the integrated Hogia HT Complete

Last year, Marine Atlantic Inc. resolved to elevate service levels for their freight customers and improve the efficiency in their ports. As an extension to the ferry reservation system BOOKIT, delivered by Hogia Ferry Systems and in operation since 2007, Marine Atlantic selected Hogia’s standard HT Complete solution to be implemented to support the operations at all three ports.  

After months of preparations, the two systems were synchronized and successfully integrated in the early morning of February 25th. During the first day, three ferry departures were operationally loaded using the Workflow management function in the HT Complete system. This was accomplished without any issues and in accordance with the allocated time plan. The launch was a huge success, and a result of very thorough testing, planning and training. 

The integrated solution is one of the first of its kind in the marine industry, with real-time synchronised data between a terminal management system and a ferry reservation system. Marine Atlantic benefit from the removal of the need to duplicate data entry and through seamless interaction between terminal operation activities and ferry freight reservations. 

Terry Anderson, Terminal Manager, Marine Atlantic, said: “This new workflow management function significantly enhances ability to manage our traffic at our ports; we can now track our drop trailer traffic in real-time, increasing efficiencies for our business and for our commercial customers. It was an exciting day for all of us as we ‘checked-in’ our first drop trailer!” 

Colin Tibbo, CIO, Marine Atlantic, added: “Our commercial customers account for over 70% of our total business at Marine Atlantic; managing this portion of our business and strengthening the services we offer to this consumer base is one of our key strategic business objectives,” said Colin. “The HT system was identified as a solution which would allow us to both better manage our traffic within our ports while also providing us with a means to strengthen communication with our commercial customers. Over the past several months both teams (from Marine Atlantic and Hogia) have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this project. I am very pleased with the teamwork and commitment demonstrated by all involved; it was a job well done. “ 

For Hogia Ferry Systems, this is the second successful integrated solution between Hogia standard packages. The first was the integration to Hogia TIMS, the real time passenger information system, used by the ferry operator Red Funnel (UK) and in production since 2014. 

Niclas Blomstrom, Managing Director, Hogia Ferry Systems, said: “We all know the importance of a good, creative partnership and, on behalf of the teams, I am really proud of the work we have done together with Marine Atlantic. I look forward to continue building on our strong relationship. Based on the increasing demand for immediate and accurate information, I believe real-time integrated solutions is the way forward for the ferry operators. These solutions can give substantial efficiency gains and really elevate their customers’ experience, be it travellers or freight operators.”