HDOT Implements New Scheduling System at State Harbors

NCL cruise ship at Kahului Harbor. Photo by Wendy Osher.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Harbors Division recently completed beta testing of Hawaii.PortCall.com, a web-based vessel scheduling system that went live on Jan. 1, 2016.

The site grants access to cruise line itinerary around the world to access open berths at Hawaiʻi’s commercial ports years in advance.

Itinerary planners can view the availability of berthing space when reserving passenger ship visits at any of the Department of Transportation commercial ports including Kahului and Lahaina harbors on Maui.

State officials say the website eliminates traditional processes of having fax machines or emails document first come first serve reservations to Harbormasters, and promotes transparency and fairness to agents competing for reservations.

During elevated warnings of tsunamis or hurricanes state officials say the website allows federal, state and county emergency disaster planners and harbor users one source to view the vessels that are in port.  They can also use the site to plan an efficient evacuation of the vessels or identify those vessels that will remain in port seeking safe harbor refuge.

DOT officials say this tool “allows the Harbormaster to formulate an informed response based on real time information about all vessel movements and resumption of port operations.”

Funding for the project was provided through the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.