Shipping Minister Stephen Ladyman has today set out how the UK can make the most from the technology offered by Automatic Identification System (AIS) to underpin electronic navigation and facilitate a safer, modern shipping industry.
A new strategy published by the Department for Transport today details the areas where AIS technology could bring significant benefits beyond its primary function of monitoring ship movements, and how the data it provides could open some commercial revenue opportunities to offset its own running costs.
AIS is a radio-based ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore system that can identify and track the movement of ships up to 30 miles out from the UK's coastline. Large ships, those of 300 gross tonnage or more, have been required by the International Maritime Organisation to have had an AIS system installed for tracking purposes since 2004.
However, the technology behind AIS has the potential to offer an even broader range of services: from a more responsive and lower-cost Aids to Navigation (AtoN); to assisting Search and Rescue services and Counter Pollution activity; to building a comprehensive database of shipping movements along the coastline.
And in doing so, AIS technology will form a key building block in an 'e-navigation' system of the future - an internationally integrated, electronic navigational aid that could transform the shipping industry and provide a safer and cleaner marine environment across the world.
Minister for Shipping Stephen Ladyman said:
"We need to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded by Automated Identification technology. AIS is an essential step towards e-navigation and as a result, will be a significant contributor towards our shared goal of safer and cleaner shipping not just around the UK, but across the globe.
"The strategy I am announcing today will help to put in place a UK-wide network, both on shore and at sea, that will maximize the full potential of AIS by 2010.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is responsible for establishing the coastal ground-station infrastructure; whilst the three General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) have been researching how AIS can be adopted as a safe and efficient virtual AtoN. An Agreement is now in place between the MCA and the three GLAs which underlines the MCA's lead responsibility for the development and adoption of AIS, but recognises the important contribution to be made by the GLAs' own AIS capability and the GLA responsibility for AtoN.
Notes to Editors
The MCA has committed £2.7m towards the installation of a shore-side AIS infrastructure for the UK.
The three GLAs serving the British Isles are Trinity House, Northern Lighthouse Board and the Commissioners of Irish Lights. Between the three organisations, more than £600,000 is expected to be invested in trials of AIS technology's potential as a navigation aide.
The EU has legislated to use AIS data for the purpose of Vessel Traffic Monitoring. The Vessel Traffic Monitoring Directive (VTMD) requires Member States to install shore-based infrastructure for receiving and utilising AIS information by end 2007, and for relaying the information to and exchanging it between the national systems of Member States by 2008. The VTMD was transposed into UK law by the Merchant Shipping (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2004.
The UK's AIS strategy goes beyond the requirements of the EU's Directive and sets out possible applications of the AIS system beyond its operation as a Vessel Identification and Traffic Monitoring System. These include its potential to police Mandatory and Voluntary Reporting Areas; assisting Search and Rescue and Counter Pollution; as an Aid to Navigation (and any commercial opportunities this provides); a Safety Information System; a Traffic Database and its contribution to incident investigations.
E-navigation is a long-term vision, now being actively explored by the UK and other leading maritime nations, for a wholly integrated electronic navigation concept to transform shipping safety. The UK, with the active support of Japan, the Marshall Islands, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore and the USA, has proposed to the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee that it adopt a work programme to achieve this goal. The Government hopes to secure this commitment from the IMO as soon as possible.
