E-Navigation
Encyclopedia
e-Navigation is a concept developed under the auspices of the UN's International Maritime Organization
(IMO) to bring about increased safety and security in commercial shipping through better organization of data on ships and on shore, and better data exchange and communication between the two. The concept was launched when maritime authorities from seven nations requested it be added to work undertaken in IMO's NAV and COMSAR sub-committees. Working groups in three sub-committee (NAV, COMSAR and STW), and a correspondence group, as well as the International Hydrographic Organization
(IHO) and the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities
(IALA), are working on an e-Navigation strategy implementation plan meant for adoption in 2012.
Accidents related to navigation continue to occur despite the development and availability of a number of ship- and shore-based technologies that promise to improve situational awareness and decision-making. These include the Automatic Identification System
(AIS), Electronic Chart Display and Information System
(ECDIS), Integrated Bridge Systems/Integrated Navigation Systems (IBS/INS), Automatic Radar Plotting Aid
s (ARPA), radio navigation
, Long Range Identification and Tracking
(LRIT) systems, Vessel Traffic Service
s (VTS) and the Global Maritime Distress Safety System
(GMDSS).
It is believed that these technologies can reduce navigational errors and failures, and deliver benefits in areas like search and rescue, pollution incident response, security and the protection of critical marine resources, such as fishing grounds. They may also contribute to efficiencies in the planning and operation of cargo logistics, by providing information about sea, port and forwarder conditions.
to coordinate the work of developing a proposal for an e-Navigation strategy implementation plan. Three sub-committees within the IMO - NAV, COMSAR and STW - have established working groups on e-Navigation; each group is chaired by John Erik Hagen of the Norwegian Coastal Administration. Further, a correspondence group overseen by the Norwegian Coastal Administration has an ongoing role in gathering input from national maritime administrations to proposals and decisions related to the process of establishing an e-Navigation strategy implementation plan.
The work on an e-Navigation strategy implementation plan has been broken down into several clear phases:
and the Danish Maritime Safety Administration. Another project in this area is ALIS, which built an e-navigation framework and prototype aimed at the sub-SOLAS sector.
International Maritime Organization
The International Maritime Organization , formerly known as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization , was established in Geneva in 1948, and came into force ten years later, meeting for the first time in 1959...
(IMO) to bring about increased safety and security in commercial shipping through better organization of data on ships and on shore, and better data exchange and communication between the two. The concept was launched when maritime authorities from seven nations requested it be added to work undertaken in IMO's NAV and COMSAR sub-committees. Working groups in three sub-committee (NAV, COMSAR and STW), and a correspondence group, as well as the International Hydrographic Organization
International Hydrographic Organization
The International Hydrographic Organization is the inter-governmental organisation representing the hydrographic community. It enjoys observer status at the UN and is the recognised competent authority on hydrographic surveying and nautical charting...
(IHO) and the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities
International Association of Lighthouse Authorities
The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities is a non-profit organization founded in 1957 to collect and provide nautical expertise and advice.-Background:...
(IALA), are working on an e-Navigation strategy implementation plan meant for adoption in 2012.
Background
A study conducted by UK authorities indicated that navigational errors and failures were a significant element in over half of the merchant shipping accidents that merited an investigation in the years from 2002-05. Further studies have shown both that the number of accidents is increasing, and that 60 per cent of these accidents were caused by human failure. The combination of navigational errors and human failure indicate a potential failure of the larger system in which ships are navigated and controlled.Accidents related to navigation continue to occur despite the development and availability of a number of ship- and shore-based technologies that promise to improve situational awareness and decision-making. These include the Automatic Identification System
Automatic Identification System
The Automatic Identification System is an automatic tracking system used on ships and by Vessel traffic services for identifying and locating vessels by electronically exchanging data with other nearby ships and AIS Base stations...
(AIS), Electronic Chart Display and Information System
Electronic Chart Display and Information System
An Electronic Chart Display and Information System is a computer-based navigation information system that complies with International Maritime Organization regulations and can be used as an alternative to paper nautical charts...
(ECDIS), Integrated Bridge Systems/Integrated Navigation Systems (IBS/INS), Automatic Radar Plotting Aid
Automatic Radar Plotting Aid
A marine radar with automatic radar plotting aid capability can create tracks using radar contacts. The system can calculate the tracked object's course, speed and closest point of approach , thereby knowing if there is a danger of collision with the other ship or landmass.Development of ARPA...
s (ARPA), radio navigation
Radio navigation
Radio navigation or radionavigation is the application of radio frequencies to determine a position on the Earth. Like radiolocation, it is a type of radiodetermination.The basic principles are measurements from/to electric beacons, especially...
, Long Range Identification and Tracking
Long Range Identification and Tracking
The long-range identification and tracking of ships was established as an international system on 19 May 2006 by the International Maritime Organization as resolution MSC.202...
(LRIT) systems, Vessel Traffic Service
Vessel Traffic Service
A vessel traffic service is a marine traffic monitoring system established by harbour or port authorities, similar to air traffic control for aircraft...
s (VTS) and the Global Maritime Distress Safety System
Global Maritime Distress Safety System
The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System is an internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment, and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft....
(GMDSS).
It is believed that these technologies can reduce navigational errors and failures, and deliver benefits in areas like search and rescue, pollution incident response, security and the protection of critical marine resources, such as fishing grounds. They may also contribute to efficiencies in the planning and operation of cargo logistics, by providing information about sea, port and forwarder conditions.
e-Navigation definition
The initial definition for e-Navigation was formulated by IALA thus:- The harmonized collection, integration, exchange, presentation and analysis of marine information onboard and ashore by electronic means to enhance berth to berth navigation and related services for safety and security at sea and protection of the marine environment.
e-Navigation Strategy Implementation Plan
The IMO has entrusted Norway and the Norwegian Coastal AdministrationNorwegian Coastal Administration
Norwegian Coastal Administration is a Norwegian government agency responsible for the water transport infrastructure along the 92,000 km Coast of Norway. It is responsible for coastal navigation infrastructure, pilotage and harbour and port infrastructure, including lighthouses...
to coordinate the work of developing a proposal for an e-Navigation strategy implementation plan. Three sub-committees within the IMO - NAV, COMSAR and STW - have established working groups on e-Navigation; each group is chaired by John Erik Hagen of the Norwegian Coastal Administration. Further, a correspondence group overseen by the Norwegian Coastal Administration has an ongoing role in gathering input from national maritime administrations to proposals and decisions related to the process of establishing an e-Navigation strategy implementation plan.
The work on an e-Navigation strategy implementation plan has been broken down into several clear phases:
- Assessing user needs
- Constructing an open, modular and scalable architecture
- Completing a series of studies: a gap analysis, cost-benefit analysis and a risk analysis
Core elements to the plan
The final e-Navigation strategy implementation plan will contain eight core elements, defined thus:- Identification of responsibilities to appropriate organizations/parties
- Transition arrangements
- A phased implementation schedule along with possible roadmaps
- Priorities for deliverables, resource management and a schedule for implementation and the continual assessment of user needs
- Proposals for a systematic assessment of how new technology can best meet defined and evolving user needs
- A plan for the development of any technology and institutional arrangements necessary to fulfill the requirements of e-navigation in the longer term
- Proposals on public relations and promotion of the e-navigation concept to key stakeholder groups
- Identification of potential sources of funding for development and implementation, particularly for developing regions and countries and of actions to secure that funding.
Parallel efforts in e-Navigation
Along with work taking place under the aegis of the IMO, a number of public and private groups are working to advance e-Navigation and topics related to e-Navigation. Foremost among these are the e-Maritime project within the EU and the EfficienSea project coordinated by the Swedish Maritime AdministrationSwedish Maritime Administration
The Swedish Maritime Administration is the Swedish government agency which provides services to the transport sector by keeping the sea lanes open and safe...
and the Danish Maritime Safety Administration. Another project in this area is ALIS, which built an e-navigation framework and prototype aimed at the sub-SOLAS sector.
See also
- International Maritime OrganizationInternational Maritime OrganizationThe International Maritime Organization , formerly known as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization , was established in Geneva in 1948, and came into force ten years later, meeting for the first time in 1959...
- International Hydrographic OrganizationInternational Hydrographic OrganizationThe International Hydrographic Organization is the inter-governmental organisation representing the hydrographic community. It enjoys observer status at the UN and is the recognised competent authority on hydrographic surveying and nautical charting...
- International Association of Lighthouse AuthoritiesInternational Association of Lighthouse AuthoritiesThe International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities is a non-profit organization founded in 1957 to collect and provide nautical expertise and advice.-Background:...