Tag: maritime surveillance

All DNV GL-classed vessels are now able to utilize the possibility of remote surveys for some inspections. This means that a DNV GL surveyor will not be required to travel to the vessel, but can provide support by using an online connection or video streaming link, instead.

ABS published guidance notes on the use of remote inspection technologies, detailing best practices for their use on class surveys and non-class inspections. The guidance notes cover pilot-operated unmanned aerial vehicles, remotely operated underwater vehicles and robotic crawlers, collectively known as remote inspection technologies (RITS).

The Australian Royal Navy has deployed its Laser Airborne Depth Sounder (LADS) Flight to Invercargill in New Zealand, to undertake survey operations over Macquarie Island, a 34km long World Heritage listed island that lies approximately halfway between Australia and Antarctica. 

EMSA informed that the Spanish maritime safety agency SASEMAR is using its Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in the southern province of Huelva, for identifying and monitoring oil spills, as well as for additional assistance during search and rescue missions. 

Copernicus Maritime Surveillance Service, previously known as GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security), is the European Programme using sophisticated satellites for earth observation. Managed by EMSA, the service can be used to address a wide range of areas, such as piracy, marine environment, defence, and customs. 

EMSA has secured four contracts for maritime surveillance services based on remotely piloted aircraft systems. These contracts aims to improve maritime surveillance capabilities to European agencies and member states.

At the 5th edition of Our Ocean conference in Bali, the EU announced 23 new commitments for better governance of the oceans and €300 million of EU-funded initiatives, which include projects to tackle plastic pollution, make blue economy more sustainable and improve research and marine surveillance. This contribution comes on top of the over €550 million committed in last year's conference in Malta.

MPA Singapore issued a circular informing that the usage of remote inspection techniques can be accepted for the conduct of surveys onboard Singapore-Registered Ships. When permitted, remote inspection technique may be used to facilitate the required external and internal examinations.

India and France announced their plan to launch satellites aimed for maritime surveillance, as French space agency CNES chief Jean-Yves Le Gall informed. The satellites will focus on the Indian Ocean and they will constitute India's largest space cooperation with any country.

In a bid to leverage the new technologies to drive operational efficiency, APM Terminals announced the introduction of drones at its inland services facilities in San Antonio and Santiago, Chile, so that safety supervisors can monitor activities more effectively and safely.