Approved by the Panama Canal Authority for permanent installation on NeoPanamax vessels transiting the canal. The system provides:
- Safe navigation
Real-time centimeter level accuracy delivers high accuracy positioning and heading for precise guidance, berthing and docking. - Safe piloting
Positioning data is shared with the Panama Canal pilot’s application, delivering easy-to-read system status. - Independent AIS traffic monitoring
Delivers data to Independent Automatic Identification System (AIS) traffic monitoring for the vessel
Benefits of RTK Positioning
The GPS and GNSS satellite systems provide positional data that needs to be augmented in real-time to be precise. The MPS566 Pilot system uses real-time corrected data from ground based, permanently installed GNSS base stations that collect and correct GNSS data continuously. When using the combination of data from satellites and GNSS ground based base stations, the real-time accuracy of the GNSS data becomes highly accurate. The Panama Canal has installed many Trimble GNSS base stations, providing more precise data in real-time that is used for heading and piloting.
Frequently asked questions for the Trimble MPS566 system.
Vessel types
The MPS566 Pilot System is suitable for NeoPanamax vessel types including:
- Dry bulk vessels
- Container vessels
- Chemical tankers
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tankers
- Vehicle carriers
- Crude product tankers
- General cargo vessels
- Refrigerated vessels
- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tankers
- Cruise ships
Canal de Panamá Advisory to shipping No. A-32-2022
Effective October 1, 2023, all vessels with a beam of 109 feet (33.22 meters) or more transiting the Panama Canal will be required to have a fixed (non-portable) piloting unit with Real Time Kinematics (RTK).
Review the Panama Canal approval and system information here.
Navigation
Trimble’s patented GNSS receiver technology includes:
- Dual GNSS antenna inputs for precise heading
- Built in inertial measurement unit (IMU)
- OLED display with web user interface
GNSS Corrections
The MPS566 receives GNSS corrections via Ultra High Frequency (UHF) or (optional) internet data from the Panama Canal precise GNSS base stations and servers. The system can operate autonomously for up to five hours without power from the vessel in case of a blackout.
Security
The MPS566 has spoofing and jamming detection, and a built-in backup battery that delivers five hours of power.
Communications
- 450 MHz UHF radio; Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi® communication; LTE(4G) cellular modem; SMS and email alerts
- Remote access to the receiver’s web user interface (UI) or the AIS receiver web UI, for updates or support (when SIM card is installed)
- Single AIS/UHF antenna
