LONG RANGE LONG RANGE IDENTIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION AND TRACKING OF SHIPS TRACKING OF SHIPS

(LRIT)(LRIT)

1.Overview1.Overview

1.11.1 As part of the international maritime As part of the international maritime community’s wide-ranging response to the community’s wide-ranging response to the growing threat from terrorism world-wide, growing threat from terrorism world-wide,

the International Maritime Organization (IMO) the International Maritime Organization (IMO) decided to establish a new system for the decided to establish a new system for the global identification and tracking of ships. global identification and tracking of ships.

Following a major effort to Following a major effort to identify appropriate technologies, identify appropriate technologies, establish the necessary global legal regime and establish the necessary global legal regime and achieve political consensus concerning the achieve political consensus concerning the

collection, distribution and use of the data,collection, distribution and use of the data, IMO has established a system for the Long-IMO has established a system for the Long-

Range Identification and Tracking of Ships Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT). (LRIT).

1.21.2 The LRIT system consists of The LRIT system consists of shipborne LRIT information transmitting shipborne LRIT information transmitting

equipment,equipment, Communication Service Provider(s), Communication Service Provider(s), Application Service Provider(s), Application Service Provider(s), LRIT Data Centre(s), LRIT Data Centre(s), the LRIT Data Distribution Plan and the LRIT Data Distribution Plan and the International LRIT Data Exchange. the International LRIT Data Exchange.

Certain aspects of the performance of the Certain aspects of the performance of the LRIT system are reviewed or audited by the LRIT system are reviewed or audited by the LRIT Coordinator acting on behalf of all LRIT Coordinator acting on behalf of all Contracting Governments to the International Contracting Governments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). (SOLAS).

IMSO has been appointed to be the LRIT IMSO has been appointed to be the LRIT Coordinator.Coordinator.

1.31.3 Figure 1 provides an illustration of Figure 1 provides an illustration of the LRIT system architecture.the LRIT system architecture.

1.41.4 Under new SOLAS Regulation V/19-1, Under new SOLAS Regulation V/19-1, ships will be required to report their position ships will be required to report their position

(LRIT information) automatically, (LRIT information) automatically, to a special shore data collection, storage and to a special shore data collection, storage and

distribution system, distribution system, at least four times a day.at least four times a day.

LRIT information is provided to Contracting LRIT information is provided to Contracting Governments and Search and Rescue services Governments and Search and Rescue services entitled to receive the information, entitled to receive the information,

upon request, through a system of National, upon request, through a system of National, Regional, and Co operative LRIT Data Regional, and Co operative LRIT Data Centres, using where necessary, the Centres, using where necessary, the International LRIT Data Exchange.International LRIT Data Exchange.

1.51.5 This article is intended to provide an This article is intended to provide an overview of the general structure of the overview of the general structure of the international LRIT system, international LRIT system,

with a summary of the most important LRIT with a summary of the most important LRIT functions and requirements. functions and requirements.

It does not supersede SOLAS Regulation It does not supersede SOLAS Regulation V/19.1 or any of the supporting resolutions V/19.1 or any of the supporting resolutions promulgated by IMO, which should always be promulgated by IMO, which should always be consulted for definitive information. consulted for definitive information.

2 The Regulatory Basis for 2 The Regulatory Basis for LRITLRIT

2.12.1 The obligations of ships to transmit LRIT The obligations of ships to transmit LRIT information and information and

the rights and obligations of Contracting the rights and obligations of Contracting Governments and of SAR services to receive Governments and of SAR services to receive LRIT information are established in regulation LRIT information are established in regulation V/19-1 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention.V/19-1 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention.

2.22.2 IMO has also established IMO has also established a series of Assembly Resolutions and a series of Assembly Resolutions and MSC Circulars that provide details of the MSC Circulars that provide details of the

technical and operational criteria, and technical and operational criteria, and arrangements for the implementation of the arrangements for the implementation of the LRIT system world wide. LRIT system world wide.

These include: These include: Resolution MSC.263(84)Resolution MSC.263(84)Revised Performance Revised Performance

Standards and Functional Requirements for LRITStandards and Functional Requirements for LRIT MSC.1/Circ.1259MSC.1/Circ.1259Technical Documentation (part 1) – Technical Documentation (part 1) –

Interim Revised Technical Specifications for the Interim Revised Technical Specifications for the LRIT systemLRIT system

MSC.1/Circ.1294MSC.1/Circ.1294Technical Documentation (part 2)Technical Documentation (part 2) MSC.1/Circ.1298MSC.1/Circ.1298Guidance on the implementation of Guidance on the implementation of

the LRIT systemthe LRIT systemResolutionResolution MSC.275(85) MSC.275(85)Appointment of the LRIT CoordinatorAppointment of the LRIT Coordinator

2.32.3 Individual Flag States are expected to Individual Flag States are expected to publish specific regulations for the ships on publish specific regulations for the ships on their Register their Register

providing detailed guidance on the providing detailed guidance on the implementation of LRIT, implementation of LRIT,

including ship equipment conformance test including ship equipment conformance test arrangements, plus the Application Service arrangements, plus the Application Service Provider(s) and Data Centre chosen by the Provider(s) and Data Centre chosen by the Flag concerned. Flag concerned.

3 Shipborne Equipment3 Shipborne Equipment

3.13.1 The regulations that require ships to participate in the The regulations that require ships to participate in the LRIT system apply to the following types of ships engaged on LRIT system apply to the following types of ships engaged on international voyages:international voyages:

passenger ships, including high-speed passenger craft; passenger ships, including high-speed passenger craft; cargo ships, including high-speed craft, of 300 gross tonnage3 cargo ships, including high-speed craft, of 300 gross tonnage3

and upwards; and and upwards; and mobile offshore drilling units. mobile offshore drilling units. However, ships operating in Sea Area A4, as defined in However, ships operating in Sea Area A4, as defined in

SOLAS regulation VI/2.1.15, must comply not later than the SOLAS regulation VI/2.1.15, must comply not later than the first survey of the radio installation after 1 July 2009.first survey of the radio installation after 1 July 2009.

3.23.2 The “shipborne equipment” utilised for The “shipborne equipment” utilised for LRITLRIT can be can be any communications terminal any communications terminal on boardon board the vessel that is capable of the vessel that is capable of automatically transmitting the ship’s LRIT automatically transmitting the ship’s LRIT information, information, without human interventionwithout human intervention, at , at 6-hourly intervals to an LRIT data centre. 6-hourly intervals to an LRIT data centre.

3.33.3 In addition, the shipboard equipment must be In addition, the shipboard equipment must be capable of:capable of:

being configured being configured remotelyremotely to transmit LRIT to transmit LRIT information at variable intervals; information at variable intervals;

transmitting LRIT information on receipt of a specific transmitting LRIT information on receipt of a specific request from the shore (ie when polled); and request from the shore (ie when polled); and

being interfaced with an external global navigation being interfaced with an external global navigation satellite receiver (eg GPS), or have an internal satellite receiver (eg GPS), or have an internal positioning capability. positioning capability.

3.43.4 It must also meet a number of specific It must also meet a number of specific environmental and installation requirements,environmental and installation requirements,

including the general requirements for including the general requirements for shipborne radio equipment forming part of the shipborne radio equipment forming part of the global maritime distress and safety system global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) set out in IMO resolution (GMDSS) set out in IMO resolution A.,694(17).A.,694(17).

4 The LRIT Information4 The LRIT Information

4.14.1 The LRIT Information that is required to The LRIT Information that is required to be transmitted by the ship is specified in new be transmitted by the ship is specified in new SOLAS Regulation V/19-1.5 and is limited to:SOLAS Regulation V/19-1.5 and is limited to:

identity of the ship; identity of the ship; position of the ship (latitude and longitude); position of the ship (latitude and longitude);

and and date and time of the position provided. date and time of the position provided.

5 Communication Service 5 Communication Service Provider(s)Provider(s)

5.15.1 The Communication Service Provider The Communication Service Provider (CSP) provides (CSP) provides

the communications services which transfer the communications services which transfer LRIT data securely from ship to the ASP on LRIT data securely from ship to the ASP on shore. shore.

The means of communication will often be via The means of communication will often be via satellite, but the LRIT system itself is satellite, but the LRIT system itself is independent of the means of communication, independent of the means of communication, and and

any method can be used, as long as the correct any method can be used, as long as the correct packet of data arrives on shore at the right packet of data arrives on shore at the right periodicity or when demanded. periodicity or when demanded.

The IMO Performance Standard requires that:The IMO Performance Standard requires that: ““The shipboard equipment should transmit the The shipboard equipment should transmit the

LRIT information using a communication LRIT information using a communication system which provides coverage in all areas system which provides coverage in all areas where the ship operates.”where the ship operates.”

6 Application Service Provider(s)6 Application Service Provider(s)

6.16.1 The Application Service Provider (ASP) The Application Service Provider (ASP) receives the LRIT reports transmitted by the receives the LRIT reports transmitted by the ship via the CSP, ship via the CSP,

adds certain additional information to each adds certain additional information to each report, andreport, and

forwards the reports to the Data Centre forwards the reports to the Data Centre nominated by the ship’s Flag State. nominated by the ship’s Flag State.

The information to be added to each LRIT The information to be added to each LRIT report by the ASP includes:report by the ASP includes:

IMO ship identification number and MMSI for IMO ship identification number and MMSI for the ship; the ship;

name of the ship; name of the ship; unique identification code for the LRIT Data unique identification code for the LRIT Data

Centre; and Centre; and a number of time stamps used for tracking and a number of time stamps used for tracking and

audit purposes. audit purposes.

6.26.2 In addition, the ASP is responsible for In addition, the ASP is responsible for testing and configuring the ship’s testing and configuring the ship’s communications terminal, both when the communications terminal, both when the terminal is new and during continued LRIT terminal is new and during continued LRIT reporting, including executing “on demand” reporting, including executing “on demand” transmissions of LRIT data. transmissions of LRIT data.

6.36.3 Experience has shown that ship’s Experience has shown that ship’s communication terminals do not always communication terminals do not always continue reporting automatically without continue reporting automatically without further intervention, and further intervention, and

the ASP is responsible for identifying when a the ASP is responsible for identifying when a terminal has ceased automatic reporting for terminal has ceased automatic reporting for any reason and resetting its reporting function any reason and resetting its reporting function when required. when required.

6.46.4 Lastly, the ASP must ensure that LRIT Lastly, the ASP must ensure that LRIT information is collected, stored and routed in a information is collected, stored and routed in a reliable and secure manner. reliable and secure manner.

6.56.5 The ASP is will often be a commercial The ASP is will often be a commercial entity, and is chosen and recognized by a entity, and is chosen and recognized by a Contracting Government to provide LRIT Contracting Government to provide LRIT Data to their Data Centre. Data to their Data Centre.

7 LRIT Data Centres7 LRIT Data Centres

7.17.1 The primary purposes of an LRIT Data The primary purposes of an LRIT Data Centre (DC) are Centre (DC) are

to collect, store and make available to to collect, store and make available to authorised entities the LRIT information authorised entities the LRIT information transmitted by ships instructed by their transmitted by ships instructed by their administrations to utilise the services of that administrations to utilise the services of that DC. DC.

In carrying out these core functions, the DC is In carrying out these core functions, the DC is required to ensure that LRIT data users are required to ensure that LRIT data users are only provided with the LRIT information they only provided with the LRIT information they are entitled to receive under the terms of are entitled to receive under the terms of SOLAS Regulation V/19.1. SOLAS Regulation V/19.1.

7.27.2 In addition, the LRIT DC acts as a In addition, the LRIT DC acts as a “clearing house” by receiving requests for “clearing house” by receiving requests for LRIT information lodged in other DCs from LRIT information lodged in other DCs from its associated Administration(s) and obtaining its associated Administration(s) and obtaining the data requested. the data requested.

Generally LRIT reports so requested will be Generally LRIT reports so requested will be exchanged through the International Data exchanged through the International Data Exchange. Exchange.

7.37.3 LRIT Data Centres are required to archive LRIT Data Centres are required to archive their data so that the reports can be recovered, their data so that the reports can be recovered, if required, at a later date and the activities of if required, at a later date and the activities of the DC can be audited by the LRIT the DC can be audited by the LRIT Coordinator. Coordinator.

7.47.4 LRIT DCs may make a charge for LRIT LRIT DCs may make a charge for LRIT data they provide to other DCs. data they provide to other DCs.

7.57.5 DCs may be either DCs may be either National (established to provide service to National (established to provide service to

only one Contracting Government); only one Contracting Government); Cooperative (established to provide services to Cooperative (established to provide services to

a number of Contracting Governments) or a number of Contracting Governments) or Regional (established to provide services to a Regional (established to provide services to a

number of Contracting Governments acting number of Contracting Governments acting through a regional entity of some kind). through a regional entity of some kind).

The IMO Performance Standard envisages The IMO Performance Standard envisages also an International Data Centre (IDC), to also an International Data Centre (IDC), to provide LRIT services on an international provide LRIT services on an international basis to many countries that do not wish to basis to many countries that do not wish to establish their own DCs, but the IMO establish their own DCs, but the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has not yet Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has not yet decided to establish such an IDC. decided to establish such an IDC.

8 International LRIT Data 8 International LRIT Data ExchangeExchange

8.18.1 The International LRIT Data Exchange The International LRIT Data Exchange (IDE) exists to route LRIT information (IDE) exists to route LRIT information between LRIT DCs using the information between LRIT DCs using the information provided in the LRIT Data Distribution Plan. provided in the LRIT Data Distribution Plan.

It is therefore connected via the internet to all It is therefore connected via the internet to all LRIT DCs and the LRIT Data Distribution LRIT DCs and the LRIT Data Distribution Plan server. Plan server.

8.28.2 The IDE cannot access and does not The IDE cannot access and does not archive the LRIT data itself, but it does archive the LRIT data itself, but it does maintain a journal of message header maintain a journal of message header information – which can be understood as the information – which can be understood as the “envelope” containing the LRIT information. “envelope” containing the LRIT information. This journal is used for invoicing functions This journal is used for invoicing functions and for audit purposes. and for audit purposes.

8.38.3 The performance of the IDE is audited by The performance of the IDE is audited by the LRIT Coordinator. the LRIT Coordinator.

9 LRIT Data Distribution Plan 9 LRIT Data Distribution Plan

9.19.1 The LRIT Data Distribution Plan (DDP) is The LRIT Data Distribution Plan (DDP) is principally a database that holds information needed principally a database that holds information needed to allow the international LRIT system to operate to allow the international LRIT system to operate correctly. correctly.

The DDP is consulted by any DC in order to The DDP is consulted by any DC in order to determine whether a request for LRIT information determine whether a request for LRIT information should be allowed under the rules for the distribution should be allowed under the rules for the distribution of LRIT data. of LRIT data.

9.29.2 The DDP information includes: The DDP information includes: a list of the unique identification codes assigned to a list of the unique identification codes assigned to

key elements in the LRIT system; key elements in the LRIT system; the coordinates which define the various geographical the coordinates which define the various geographical

areas declared by Contracting Governments within areas declared by Contracting Governments within which they wish to exercise their rights to receive or which they wish to exercise their rights to receive or restrict the distribution of LRIT information as a Flag restrict the distribution of LRIT information as a Flag or Coastal State; and or Coastal State; and

a list of the ports and port facilities within the a list of the ports and port facilities within the territory and places under the jurisdiction of each territory and places under the jurisdiction of each Contracting Government. Contracting Government.

10 LRIT System Security10 LRIT System Security

10.110.1 Current LRIT information can have both Current LRIT information can have both a security and a commercial value. a security and a commercial value.

It must therefore be strictly protected from It must therefore be strictly protected from unauthorised access in storage and when it is unauthorised access in storage and when it is being exchanged. being exchanged.

The LRIT Performance Standard provides for The LRIT Performance Standard provides for the protection of LRIT data through the the protection of LRIT data through the protection not only of the databases protection not only of the databases themselves, but also the communication links themselves, but also the communication links used to exchange data. used to exchange data.

Recommended methods of data protection Recommended methods of data protection include: authorization prior to access; include: authorization prior to access; authentication of those accessing the data; authentication of those accessing the data; confidentiality (usually by encryption of the confidentiality (usually by encryption of the data) and data integrity checking. data) and data integrity checking.

11 The LRIT Coordinator11 The LRIT Coordinator

11.111.1 IMSO has been appointed as the LRIT IMSO has been appointed as the LRIT Coordinator by the Maritime Safety Coordinator by the Maritime Safety Committee; and Committee; and

has implemented that decision by amendments has implemented that decision by amendments to the IMSO Convention and its operational to the IMSO Convention and its operational procedures. procedures.

11.211.2 The functions of the LRIT Coordinator The functions of the LRIT Coordinator include: include:

assisting in the establishment of the IDE and assisting in the establishment of the IDE and IDC through issuing and evaluating Requests IDC through issuing and evaluating Requests for Proposals to potential operators; for Proposals to potential operators;

facilitating the testing and integration of new facilitating the testing and integration of new DCs and other elements into the international DCs and other elements into the international LRIT system; LRIT system;

reviewing the performance of the system on an reviewing the performance of the system on an annual basis, through review and audit of annual basis, through review and audit of ASPs, DCs and the IDE, verifying in particular ASPs, DCs and the IDE, verifying in particular that Contracting Governments and Search and that Contracting Governments and Search and Rescue services receive the information they Rescue services receive the information they are entitled to, and not any information to are entitled to, and not any information to which they are not entitled; and which they are not entitled; and

providing an annual report to the Maritime providing an annual report to the Maritime Safety Committee on the performance of the Safety Committee on the performance of the LRIT system including any non-conformities, LRIT system including any non-conformities, and making any appropriate recommendations and making any appropriate recommendations with a view to improving the efficiency, with a view to improving the efficiency, effectiveness and security of the LRIT system. effectiveness and security of the LRIT system.

11.311.3 The LRIT Coordinator is authorised to The LRIT Coordinator is authorised to charge for the services it provides. charge for the services it provides.

12 Access to LRIT 12 Access to LRIT InformationInformation

12.112.1 Under the terms of SOLAS Regulation Under the terms of SOLAS Regulation V/19-1.8, governments are entitled to receive V/19-1.8, governments are entitled to receive LRIT information, if they wish to do so, for LRIT information, if they wish to do so, for security and other purposes, in four basic security and other purposes, in four basic situations: situations:

as a Flag State,as a Flag State, an Administration is entitled to an Administration is entitled to receive LRIT information about ships entitled to fly receive LRIT information about ships entitled to fly its flag irrespective of where such ships may be its flag irrespective of where such ships may be located; located;

as a Port State,as a Port State, a Contracting Government is entitled a Contracting Government is entitled to receive LRIT information about ships which have to receive LRIT information about ships which have indicated their intention to enter a port facility or a indicated their intention to enter a port facility or a place under the jurisdiction of that Contracting place under the jurisdiction of that Contracting Government, subject to certain restrictions; Government, subject to certain restrictions;

as a Coastal State,as a Coastal State, a Contracting Government is a Contracting Government is entitled to receive LRIT information about ships entitled to receive LRIT information about ships entitled to fly the flag of other Contracting entitled to fly the flag of other Contracting Governments, not intending to enter a port facility or Governments, not intending to enter a port facility or a place under the jurisdiction of that Contracting a place under the jurisdiction of that Contracting Government, navigating within a distance not Government, navigating within a distance not exceeding 1,000 nautical miles of its coast, subject to exceeding 1,000 nautical miles of its coast, subject to certain restrictions; and certain restrictions; and

the Search and Rescue Service of a Contracting the Search and Rescue Service of a Contracting Government may receive, free of any charges, LRIT Government may receive, free of any charges, LRIT information in relation to the search and rescue of information in relation to the search and rescue of persons in distress at sea. persons in distress at sea.

12.212.2 In addition, the MSC has subsequently In addition, the MSC has subsequently decided that Contracting Governments may decided that Contracting Governments may request, receive and use LRIT information for request, receive and use LRIT information for safety and marine environment protection safety and marine environment protection purposes. The details of these uses have not purposes. The details of these uses have not yet been worked out. yet been worked out.

12.312.3 Contracting Governments will generally Contracting Governments will generally have to pay a small charge, reflecting largely have to pay a small charge, reflecting largely the costs of data collection and storage, for the the costs of data collection and storage, for the LRIT information they use. LRIT information they use.

The MSC has decided that ships themselves The MSC has decided that ships themselves shall not be charged for the transmission or shall not be charged for the transmission or other costs of participation in the LRIT other costs of participation in the LRIT system. system.

As a result, it should not be necessary for the As a result, it should not be necessary for the majority of ships to incur any significant cost majority of ships to incur any significant cost in implementing the new LRIT reporting in implementing the new LRIT reporting requirements. requirements.

Similarly, the LRIT system has been designed Similarly, the LRIT system has been designed so that the capabilities of many existing so that the capabilities of many existing satellite communication terminals (eg Inmarsat satellite communication terminals (eg Inmarsat C), mandatorily fitted in most SOLAS ships, C), mandatorily fitted in most SOLAS ships, will be sufficient for LRIT purposes. will be sufficient for LRIT purposes.