The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) has selected The Mariner Group to integrate its maritime vessel scheduling software.

The Columbia, S.C.-based company is expected to combine the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) port data into one system by mid-2015 to ease vessel scheduling and use of dock space. The information will be accessible to users from multiple organizations and sites across Hawaii.

“We are excited to bring our maritime and situation awareness expertise to ports throughout the state,” said Stephen Dryden, The Mariner Group’s president and chief executive officer. “Mariner’s focus on workflow and user experience will improve the scheduling process from end to end.” 

Mike McCartney, HTA president and chief executive officer, said that the DOT and DLNR should benefit from a more efficient system that will help maximize revenue potential. The cost to develop and implement the system is $241,500, according to HTA.

 “Through the new integrated system, we hope to grow our market share of cruise business to the Hawaiian Islands, which will help in our efforts to diversify our tourism economy and ensure its long-term sustainability,” McCartney said. 

In 2013, there were 287,681 total cruise visitors to the state and contributed $51.8 million into the state’s economy.