The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has said draft guidance for Polar navigation and communication technology will be released by January 25 2018.
The guidance will be finalized before the conclusion of the current session of the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communication and Search and Rescue, which began on January 16, 2018.
According to the IMO, it will include advice on temperature and mechanical shock testing and how to address ice accretion and battery performance in Polar environments.
The session will finalize the draft IMO position on maritime radio-communication matters for submission to the World Radio-Communication Conference 2019 (WRC-19), to be held in November 2019.
Credit: IMO/Flickr
On e-navigation matters, the session will focus on harmonization and standardization which the IMO says is key for the “effective implementation” of its e-navigation strategy.
Furthermore, it will develop the description of various maritime services coordinated by different organizations with the view to drive harmonization and draft guidelines on standardized modes of operation, which will improve standardization of the user interface and information used by seafarers.
A new Port Technology technical paper examined the major shipping trends in 2019, including big ships and deeper channels
Shipping in the Arctic has become a contentious issue in recent years, as climate change has forced ice to recede and opened up potential new routes.
PTI recently explored the commercial viability of Arctic shipping in an exclusive which can be read here.
In a statement, the IMO expanded on some of the other matters the session will cover: “The Sub-Committee will continue its work on a number of key agenda items, including the ongoing work to modernize the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
Credit: IMO/Flickr
“The mandatory GMDSS was adopted in 1988 to ensure full integration of maritime radio and satellite communications so that distress alerts can be generated from anywhere on the world’s oceans.
“The modernization plan aims to update the provisions, including allowing for the incorporation of new satellite communication services.
“On search and rescue matters, the Sub-Committee will consider recommendations from the latest regular International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)/IMO Joint Working Group. IMO works closely with ICAO on the harmonization of aeronautical and maritime search and rescue.
“The meeting is expected to validate a revised model course on SAR Mission Coordinator.
“Amongst other regular agenda items, the Sub-Committee will review proposed new and amended ships' routing measures, consider updates to Maritime Safety Information (MSI) related provisions and will discuss matters relating to the functioning and operation of the Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT).”
Read more:
