– Vi tar ansvar for sjøvegen The future of VTS – how e-navigation can contribute Kuala Lumpur, 2016 John Erik Hagen, Regional Director Norwegian Coastal Administration

Problem areas for VTS Vessel traffic service (VTS) - a service implemented by a Competent Authority, designed to improve the safety and efficiency of vessel traffic and to protect the environment. The service should have the capability to interact with the traffic and to respond to traffic situations developing in the VTS area. (IMO Resolution A.857(20))

– Vi tar ansvar for sjøvegen Voice Communications When a vessel on arrival in a VTS area needs to seek permission prior to entering, the Captain must submit an application - for clearance orally over a VTS VHF channel. Upon the submission of such an application, there will often be challenges of a different nature. Language, or communication systems challenges with noise and VHF cover area are often the reason why several officers have trouble explaining their planned itinerary or other relevant information.

– Vi tar ansvar for sjøvegen Misunderstandings Misunderstandings can easily arise especially where the communicating parties don’t speak the same language and are both speaking a third language for example English. These include a ship-ship or ship-VTS communication. VTS operators have experienced that some navigators do not understand what is being communicated because of language difficulties. This still applies when a standardised language is used such as the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP). International surveys conducted during the e-navigation development in IMO highlighted language skills as a major problem for users on board and ashore.

– Vi tar ansvar for sjøvegen Other VTS issues The VTS centre needs when sending the same message to multiple vessels, to call each vessel in turn in order to convey the same, or nearly the same message every time. Examples of this are areas of flotsam, which can be floating wreckage of a ship or its cargo, search operations or otherwise. Some vessels coming into a VTS area are without updated or any maps for the area. Currently the only way in these circumstances are for maps to be physically delivered maybe by pilot boat, tug or guiding vessel. Today, ships wish to load or unload as they arrive, however, the jetty might not be free and the vessel must therefore wait, either at anchor or outside the VTS area. Slot times for berthing are unable to be used when there is no functional way to distribute them in many ports.

– Vi tar ansvar for sjøvegen SESAME Straits project The SESAME Straits (Secure, Efficient and Safe maritime traffic Management in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore aims to create solutions to significantly improve the safety and efficiency of ship navigation across the world The project is based on e-navigation solutions Singapore VTS

– Vi tar ansvar for sjøvegen Just-in-time The core of the SESAME project is based on shared situation awareness and cooperative decision making between the ship’s bridge team and shore personnel by exchange of electronic information. Bringing these elements together through e-navigation for ship and shore side will achieve the key objectives of just-in- time arrival and minimising vessel traffic hot spots. This will result in benefits including reduced ship bunkers, efficient traffic flow through narrow and restricted waterways, reduced navigation risk, reduced CO² emissions and better utilisation of port resources such as anchorages, berths and pilots.

– Vi tar ansvar for sjøvegen e-navigation solutions At MSC 94 in 2014 the Strategy Implementation Plan (SIP) was approved. The concept is based on 5 solutions prioritised by IMO and represents an integrated and holistic approach to the concept of exchange of information in providing safe, secure and effective berth to berth navigation as well as protection of the marine environment. The fifth e-navigation solution, S5, makes sure that the shore based information from ports, VTSs and other service providers to ships is harmonised and standardized around the world.

– Vi tar ansvar for sjøvegen Maritime Service Portfolios (S5) There are many different types of shore based services in most given situations or locations such as ports, coastal and high seas. Globally harmonising and standardising these services and functions results in the Maritime Service Portfolios (MSPs). MSPs group the information and data provided by shore authorities and other stakeholders to ships, and harmonizes the format, structure and communication channels used to exchange that information.

– Vi tar ansvar for sjøvegen Maritime Service Portfolios MSP1VTS Information Service (IS) MSP2Navigational Assistance Service (NAS) MSP3Traffic Organization Service (TOS) MSP4Local Port Service (LPS) MSP5 Maritime Safety Information (MSI) Service MSP6Pilotage Service MSP7Tugs Service MSP8Vessel Shore Reporting MSP9Telemedical Maritime Assistance Service MSP10Maritime Assistance Service (MAS) MSP11Nautical Chart Service MSP12Nautical Publications Service MSP13Ice Navigation Service MSP14Meteorological Information Service MSP15 Real-Time Hydrographic and Environmental Information Services MSP16Search and Rescue (SAR) Service

– Vi tar ansvar for sjøvegen Maritime Service Portfolios that could be linked to e-navigation VTS services MSP1VTS Information Service (INS) MSP2Navigational Assistance Service (NAS) MSP3Traffic Organization Service (TOS) MSP4Local Port Service (LPS) MSP5 Maritime Safety Information (MSI) Service MSP6Pilotage Service MSP7Tugs Service MSP8Vessel Shore Reporting MSP9Telemedical Maritime Assistance Service MSP10Maritime Assistance Service (MAS) MSP11Nautical Chart Service MSP12Nautical Publications Service MSP13Ice Navigation Service MSP14Meteorological Information Service MSP15 Real-Time Hydrographic and Environmental Information Services MSP16Search and Rescue (SAR) Service

– Vi tar ansvar for sjøvegen IMOs MSP Areas Port areas and approaches Coastal waters and confined or restricted areas Open sea and open areas Areas with offshore and/or infrastructure developments Polar areas Other remote areas

– Vi tar ansvar for sjøvegen Ship Reporting Systems (S2) In the absence of harmonized standards for ship reporting systems, national ship reporting systems may use different procedures and reporting formats Such different procedures and reporting formats create an additional burden for ships moving from one area to another covered by differernt ship reporting systems E-navigation Solution 2 proposes means for standarized and automated reporting

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Ship Reporting Test Bed Project IMO is informed that Brazil, Singapore and Norway will carry out a test bed this year to facilitate automated and standarized ship reporting (S2) The test bed will use existing communications networks suitable for e-navigation The on board system/data base will be connected to relevant equipment such as AIS VTS will play an important role regarding collection of ship reporting information and distribution of this Single Window information to other authorities ashore

– Vi tar ansvar for sjøvegen Communications and Interoperability As the e-navigation concept is primarily based on improved digital communications between ship and shore and ship and ship, communications technologies are at the core of the e- navigation strategy. E-navigation will need interoperability.

– Vi tar ansvar for sjøvegen Conclusions E-navigation will contribute to reduction of voice communications between VTS and ships leading to misunderstandings because of noise and language problems by using data communications. Use of specialised MSPs provided by VTS instead of delivering physical paper based information (i.e. notice to mariners/chart updates) to the ship will enhance safety and increase efficiency efficiency.

– Vi tar ansvar for sjøvegen Conclusions Communication between VTS authorities and ships, could ensure that vessels are aware and coordinated early enough in regards to available berth time for just-in-time arrival, thereby saving fuel and the environment. VTSs can play an important role regarding collection of ship reporting information and distribution of this Single Window information ashore

TAKK FOR OPPMERKSOMHETEN VTS could be one of the driving forces for moving shipping into the digital age