CONCEPT AND COMPONENTS OF E-NAVIGATION AND ITS APPLICATION IN IRAN

Ultimate goal of E‐Navigation is minimizing human errors which cause 80% of marine accidents. Human interface would be limited to observer on board ship and E‐Navigation tools will be used as decision support for control of ship from shore. Development in the field of automation, electronics, telecommunications, informatics, telematics, geometrics and global position fixing systems, achievement in data storing, processing, analyzing, transferring and visualization have been applied to the maritime technology. New E-Navigation era using those new technologies is built. In this article authors try to discuss the main tasks of the maritime community in the field of E-Navigation. It is appropriate to develop a broad strategic vision for incorporating the use of new technologies in a structured way and ensuring that their use is compliant with the various electronic navigational and communication technologies and services that are already available or will operational in near future. The aim is to underline and develop an accurate, safe, secure and cost-effective system with the potential to provide global coverage for vessels of all sizes. Implementation of this strategy might require modifications to working methods and navigational tools, such as inner ship’s computer net, charts, and bridge display equipment, electronic aids to navigation, communications and shore infrastructure. Advantage of availability of different global positioning systems as Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) make E-Navigation more reliable. Many international bodies such as International Maritime Organisation (IMO), International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO), International Association of Light House Authorities (IALA), International Telecommunication (ITU) etc., are supporting the whole issue. However, understanding the whole concept of E-Navigation is very important for safe and secure marine navigation. The Islamic Republic of Iran owns around 5800 Km cost line on its territories. Maritime facilities are important vitally for both safety and security at its jurisdiction. As state applications, Iran has set up 2 Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) systems at Persian Gulf, and committed to integration of navigational aids with new technologies on international conventions as well as to produce Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) along its water way. At present a network VTS covers Khor –e Musa water way in North West of Persian Gulf which operates 3 and a network VTS covers North East of Persian Gulf reneging the area between Kish Island and Bandar Abbas. Moreover, has produced some ENCs to fulfill E-Navigation requirements. However there is a clear and compelling need to equip shipboard users and those ashore responsible for the safety of shipping with modern, proven tools that are optimized for good decision making in order to make maritime navigation and communications more reliable and user friendly. The overall goal is to improve safety of navigation and to reduce errors. However, if current technological advances continue without proper coordination there is a risk that the future development of marine navigation systems will be hampered through a lack of standardization onboard and ashore, incompatibility between vessels and an increased and unnecessary level of complexity.

Keywords:

E-Navigation , Electronic Charts , Positioning , Marine Navigation , GNSS ,