Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 10, Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure is entering the final phase of its major navigation modernization project in Mexico, with the completion of its SafePilot Portable Pilot Unit (PPU) and navigation software delivery. These systems will be installed across 25 major Mexican ports, marking one of the largest standardized maritime navigation initiatives currently in progress worldwide.

Once fully implemented, the project will place Mexico’s port infrastructure at the forefront of maritime navigation technology, while addressing the growing need for operational consistency across the nation’s diverse port network.

Tommy Mikkelsen, Managing Director of the Navigation and Piloting Division at Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure, said: “This project goes beyond just upgrading equipment, it’s about setting a new standard for pilotage throughout Mexico. It will standardise navigation technology across all 25 ports, creating a cohesive ecosystem that enhances safety, consistency, and operational efficiency on a national scale.”

Trelleborg’s SafePilot PPU features independent heading capabilities and a flexible dual-unit configuration that allows quick equipment replacement to ensure continuous operation. The company is also providing comprehensive training programmes, delivered by Trelleborg experts with more than 25 years of global pilotage experience, to support seamless implementation across all sites.

Upon final installation, the standardized navigation systems will deliver both immediate and long-term benefits. Improved safety protocols will allow pilots to perform more accurate navigation with better decision-making support. Operational uniformity across all ports will simplify training, streamline procedures, and improve coordination between port authorities. Additionally, the dual-unit setup will reduce downtime, simplify maintenance, and enhance reliability, further strengthening operational efficiency.

This initiative represents a major step forward in the standardization of port technology. By adopting a unified navigation system, Mexico will establish a model for how port authorities worldwide can enhance safety and efficiency through strategic modernization. It also addresses one of the industry’s key challenges—ensuring that pilots can operate seamlessly across multiple ports without adapting to differing systems.

Training programmes will be implemented in parallel with the equipment installations to ensure smooth integration into daily operations.

Captain Mario Alejandro Camacho, Secretary General of the Mexican Sindicato Nacional de Pilotos de Puerto, stated: “The standardisation of this advanced equipment by the Union’s harbour pilots will significantly enhance pilotage safety in Mexican ports, aligning with international best practices. This initiative will empower members to address challenges posed by the increasing size of vessels, ensuring safe pilotage services within permitted navigation channels and manoeuvring basins. This uniformity will be particularly critical as we accommodate larger vessels and increasing cargo volumes.”

Earlier this year, Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure also launched its Smart Docking Aid System (SmartDAS), a digital berthing monitoring solution designed to improve safety, operational efficiency, and sustainability in ports globally. Together, these projects reinforce Trelleborg’s role in advancing technological innovation for the global maritime industry.