E-Navigation

What is e-navigation???

As defined by IMO:-
e-navigation is the harmonized collection, integration, exchange, presentation and analysis of marine information on board 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 is a Strategy developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a UN specialized agency, to bring about increased safety of navigation in commercial shipping through better organization of data on ships and on shore, and better data exchange and communication between ships and the ship and shore. The concept was launched when maritime authorities from seven nations requested the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee to add the development of an e-navigation strategy to the work programs of the IMO's NAV and COMSAR sub-committees. Working groups in three sub-committees (NAV, COMSAR and STW) and an intersessional correspondence group, led by Norway, has subsequently developed a Strategy Implementation Plan (SIP). Member states of IMO and a number of Intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations have contributed to the work, including theInternational Hydrographic Organization (IHO), Comité International Radio-Maritime (CIRM),the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission(IEC)

Benefits of e-navigation:

• Standardize bridge design which globally enhances the opportunity to work cross-border, improves efficiency in training and reduces material cost. Similarities between nations and vessels would also increase efficiency and improve safety.
• Reduce barriers of trade through reduction of local solutions and bureaucracy.
• Reduce the risk of accidents and incidents.

For Coastal states, Flag states and Port states e-navigation will:

• Improve efficiency in training, certification and supervision;
• Improve situational awareness by providing easy access to standard and reliable information;
• Improve efficiency in supervision, coordination, control, as well as coordination and information;
• Reduce the risk of accidents and incidents through efficient use of VTS services.

For branches, organizations and industry e-navigation will:

• Provide flexibility with regards to training and rotation as standardization would lead to a more efficient market for standardized bridge products;
• Simplify reporting and thereby reducing the workload for operations;
• Improve safety for own fleet;
• Improve situational awareness for bridge personnel and thereby improving the speed and efficiency of decision making;
• Increase navigational safety in VTS regulated areas;
• Provide a direction for product development to a wide market;
• Provide opportunity for new products and solutions;

For ship borne users e-navigation will:

• Simplify daily work and training;
• Improve human-machine interface, usability, familiarity and navigational safety;
• Improve time-saving and efficiency on board by providing easier access to information, thereby improving the response time/problem solving abilities of bridge personnel;
• Improved navigational safety by reducing the administrative workload;
• Improve confidence in the use of navigational equipment;
• Enhance the quality, accuracy and reliability of information, thereby improving situational awareness and navigational safety;
• Provide easy access to need-to-know information in a user friendly single window;
• Improve familiarity with systems through standardization;
• Improve service and safety in VTS-regulated areas by providing easy access to available services and warnings
• Reduce bureaucracy and thereby support more efficient use of bridge resources;
• Reduce the risk of accidents;