Main aspects of a maritime e-navigation project

Many devices and systems, including electronic ones, are used in the operation of sea-going vessels. Fast technological development in the field of electronics, radio communications and computer science inspires the more and more new proposals for the changes of these devices and systems. The rules and scope of sea-going vessels equipment, related to ensuring their safety, are strictly regulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Considering the above, several countries have submitted to the IMO-Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) a proposal to prepare a vision of a broad strategy for incorporating new technologies in a structural manner, ensuring their compatibility with already existing different navigation and communication technologies and services. The overriding goal of this strategy would be to improve the efficiency, safety and reducing the cost of the entire system, providing global coverage and applicable to all types of sea-going vessels. In response to this proposal, the MSC decided to start work on the project "Preparation of e-navigation strategy". The article presents the general concepts and goals of the e-navigation project. Priority needs of e-navigation users were also discussed. The key elements of the project are presented too. The radio communication aspects of the e-navigation project were also considered. Finally, the enavigation Strategy Implementation Plan (SIP) and its progress were presented.