The British Ports Association (BPA) has announced a key partnership with one of the world’s leading providers of number plate recognition cameras, with MAV Systems becoming an official Event Partner for its 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition at the Port of Dover on 21 – 22 October 2026.

MAV Systems is a UK-based traffic technology company that develops Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and vehicle intelligence systems used to identify, track and analyse vehicle movements in real time. MAV’s AiQ platform is already deployed at several UK ports and border control points, where it monitors high-volume freight and passenger movements, helping operators to improve throughput, while meeting increasingly stringent security requirements.

As part of its sponsorship of the event, MAV Systems will host an evening reception at Dover’s Maison Dieu on Wednesday 20 October. MAV Systems will also be speaking at the main conference, sharing its insight into the opportunities offered by intelligent transport systems and how to implement them effectively into busy port operations.

Richard Ballantyne OBE, chief executive of the British Ports Association, said; “With the digitisation of borders including the introduction of the EU’s new Entry Exit System, there is huge interest from ports in technology systems that can effectively manage goods and passenger flows at the border, while maintaining the highest levels of security.

“MAV Systems will bring insight from projects across the globe into the discussions being held during our annual conference and exhibition and we are delighted to welcome them on board as an official event partner.”

Andy Humphries, Managing Director at MAV Systems added; “Knowing the importance of both border security and efficient transport processing, we have developed ANPR solutions to meet all requirements identified at ports and border access terminals. Our ANPR technology is already being used at the Port of Dover to offer security and efficiency and the opportunity to support the British Ports Association event and offer further technological insight was a fantastic opportunity we could not turn down.

We are looking forward to showcasing our world leading ANPR solutions and presenting pioneering technology that can identify vehicles from over 150 countries and even those employing evasive plate manipulation techniques including Ghost Plates”

MAV Systems is part of The Traffic Group (TTG), an international group of businesses focused on product solutions designed to help create safer, greener and more efficient traffic and transport environments.

It is anticipated that the 2026 BPA Annual Conference & Exhibition will be attended by more than 400 delegates, with around 45 exhibiting companies taking part, from across the ports and maritime sector. The Port of Dover’s Cruise Terminal One will also be the venue for the 2026 BPA Awards & Gala Dinner on Thursday 22 October, where the winners of six different award categories will be announced.

Delegate tickets for BPA 2026 are selling quickly and there are limited sponsorship opportunities still available. Organisations interested in finding out more about the event can visit www.bpa2026.com or email the event management team at Freshwater on BPAconference@freshwater.co.uk

Every day, millions of vehicle journeys rely on ANPR systems operating accurately and consistently behind the scenes. Whether supporting law enforcement, managing parking sessions, protecting critical infrastructure or keeping traffic flowing, the camera at the edge of the network determines the quality of every decision that follows.

• A missed registration can mean a missed criminal
• A false read can lead to an incorrect penalty
• A poorly engineered system can reduce operational efficiency, increase maintenance costs and undermine confidence in an entire enforcement programme

The consequences of choosing the wrong technology extend far beyond the camera itself because different applications demand different solutions. There is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” ANPR camera.

The requirements of a city-centre parking operator differ significantly from those of police forces monitoring vehicles of interest. Border agencies require exceptional international plate recognition, while Smart City deployments often prioritise analytics, integration and real-time data. Highways applications demand reliable performance across multiple lanes and challenging weather conditions, while mobile enforcement requires portability without compromising accuracy. Every application presents different operational challenges.

That is why MAV Systems has developed a complete family of specialist ANPR technologies rather than relying on a single generic product.

Engineered for Every Environment

For more than three decades, MAV Systems has focused exclusively on designing and manufacturing specialist ANPR technology. Today, that expertise is reflected across a comprehensive portfolio that includes:

• High-performance fixed ANPR cameras for demanding enforcement, parking and security environments
• Compact, efficient solutions for parking and access control applications
• Mobile ANPR systems for flexible enforcement and operational deployments
• Purpose-built technologies for parking bay management, traffic analytics and Smart City applications

Every product is designed with the same philosophy: deliver reliable vehicle recognition, exceptional operational performance and long-term value.

Intelligence Built Into Every Camera

Modern ANPR is about far more than simply reading number plates. The latest MAV technologies combine advanced imaging with embedded artificial intelligence to provide capabilities that extend well beyond traditional OCR.

These include:

• Embedded AI processing for faster, more intelligent decision making
• High-accuracy vehicle recognition across UK and international registration formats
• GhostPlate™ technology to identify manipulated, obscured and fraudulent number plates
• PlatePath™ vehicle tracking to maintain vehicle identity across multiple frames
• Edge Processing that reduces bandwidth requirements and enables faster system response
• Data minimisation to support privacy-conscious deployments
• Integration with existing enforcement, parking, security and traffic management platforms

The result is technology that delivers greater confidence, higher operational efficiency and improved long-term performance.

Beware the Rise of Cheap Imitations

As demand for ANPR technology has grown, so too has the number of suppliers entering the market. Many products appear similar on paper with marketing literature often promising impressive specifications, AI capabilities and high accuracy figures but words are easy, evidence is always required.

Reliable ANPR requires years of specialist research, optical engineering, software development, AI training and continual refinement. It requires expert support teams who understand complex deployments and who remain invested long after installation.

ANPR is always critical, it’s just the objectives that change which is why quality is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

Why Organisations Continue to Choose MAV Systems

Reliability, quality, performance, accuracy and achievement, all intelligently led.

Every deployment is unique which is why the full range of MAV ANPR technology is designed to deliver outstanding performance, exceptional reliability and long-term value across some of the world’s most demanding operational environments.

Experience the Difference

ANPR technology underpins the safety, security and efficiency of modern transport infrastructure. It deserves specialist engineering, proven performance and expert support. We don’t compromise with generic solutions, our customers won’t accept poor imitations. MAV Systems delivers one of the industry’s most comprehensive portfolios of ANPR technology, combining intelligent innovation, proven performance and decades of specialist expertise to help organisations achieve better operational outcomes.

If you’re planning your next ANPR deployment, we’d be delighted to demonstrate how the MAV range can meet your exact operational requirements. Contact our team today and discover why, when it comes to ANPR, only the best will do.