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SatCom4Mar - Satellite Communications in the Future Statutory and Commercial Maritime Communications Market

It is expected that commercial and statutory maritime communications will experience major changes during the next two decades. The fundamental questions the project SatCom4Mar will address are

1. which upcoming satellite communication system could contribute to fulfill the requirements of maritime user applications,
2. whether any technological gap requiring new developments exists
3. how could the integration/coexistence between upcoming satellite communication systems, upcoming terrestrial wireless systems and legacy ones be addressed bearing in mind the ultimate goal of reducing the burden on the navigator (in terms of amount of radio equipment and related procurement and service costs).

The maritime user applications requiring access to communication systems can be divided into 6 main areas:

• Safety & Security
• Vessel operations
• Regulations/Policy
• Tracking & Monitoring
• Crew Welfare
• Shared Situational Awareness

Within the project SatCom4Mar the current and planned communication system are evaluated. Furthermore, the statutory maritime communications requirements are identified. In a next step demands are derived, followed by the opportunity for satellite systems, services and technologies.

The main outcomes of the selection process of identified opportunities will be disseminated to relevant bodies. A developed road map towards potential new satellite systems and technology candidates could lead the way towards technologies which are promising to be investigated.

A free of charge public Workshop on Future Maritime Communications was held on 08-July, 2014 in London, UK from 10:00-15:30 at Inmarsat Headquarters. For the final given presentations, please click here.

The Institute of Communications and Navigation is coordinating the project SatCom4Mar which is funded by the European Space Agency. The project runs from September 2013 until end of September 2014.

Partners

DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation, Germany (Prime Contractor)
Inmarsat, UK
Marintek, Norway
SIRM, Italy