597
1 INTRODUCTION
The main goal of the WRCs (World Radio‐
communication Conferences), convened every 3‐4
years, is to analyze and make decisions about the
worldwide use of radio frequencies to meet the
global, changing demand for radio spectrum. This
demandisenforcedbytherapiddevelopmentofthe
broadly
understood informationand communication
technology sector‐ICT (Information and
CommunicationTechnology).
WRCs decisions update the Radio Regulations
(RR), issues by the International Telecommunication
Union (ITU), regulating the global use of the radio
spectrum[ITU,2016].
These regulationsare of greatimportance for the
maritime community and especially for the
unconditional
operation of the Global Maritime
Distress and Safety System‐GMDSS, the proper
operation of marine navigation devices (radars,
satellitenavigation,AutomaticIdentificationSystem‐
AIS,etc.),aswellas theuse ofradiofrequenciesfor
public communications (business and crew’s
communications).
ThedecisionstakenbytheWRCin2019and2023
will
be of particular importance for the successful
completion of the two International Maritime
Organization (IMO) projects: the GMDSS
modernization project and, associated with the first,
thee‐navigationproject[KorczK.2015].
2 WORLDRADIOCOMMUNICATION
CONFERENCES
TheWorldradiocommunication conferences (WRCs)
areheldeverythreetofouryears.Itis
thejobofWRC
to review, and, if necessary, revise the Radio
Regulations, the international treaty governing the
use of the radio‐frequency spectrum and the
geostationary‐satelliteandnon‐geostationary‐satellite
orbits.Revisionsaremadeonthebasisofanagenda
determined by the ITU Council, which takes into
The Issues of Maritime Radiocommunication on the
WRC-19
K.Korcz
GdyniaMaritimeUniversity,Gdynia,Poland
ABSTRACT: The article presents maritime radio communication issues being the subject of the World
Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) meeting in 2019, including issues related to the modernization of
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). The preparation process for WRC‐19 have been
presented.Thediscussedissues
weredescribedfromthesubstantivesideaswell.Finally,thepositionofIMO
in relation to the maritime issues have been discussed. Some aspects of the World Radiocommunication
Conferencemeetingin2023(WRC‐23)werealsopresented.
http://www.transnav.eu
the International Journal
on Marine Navigation
and Safety of Sea Transportation
Volume 13
Number 3
September 2019
DOI:10.12716/1001.13.03.16
598
account recommendations made by previous world
radiocommunicationconferences.
The general scope of the agenda of world
radiocommunication conferences is established four
tosixyearsinadvance,withthefinalagendasetby
theITUCounciltwoyearsbeforetheconference,with
theconcurrenceofamajorityofMemberStates.
Under
theterms ofthe ITU Constitution, a WRC
can:
revise the Radio Regulations and any associated
FrequencyassignmentandallotmentPlans;
address any radiocommunication matter of
worldwidecharacter;
instruct the Radio Regulations Board and the
Radiocommunication Bureau, and review their
activities;
determine Questions for study by the
Radiocommunication Assembly and itsStudy
Groups in preparation for future
RadiocommunicationConferences.
Onthebasisofcontributionsfromadministrations,
the Radiocommunication Study Groups, and other
sources (according to Article 19 of the Convention,
Geneva, 1992) concerning the regulatory, technical,
operationaland proceduralmattersto be
considered
by World and Regional Radiocommunication
Conferences,theITUConferencePreparatoryMeeting
(CPM)shallprepareaconsolidatedreporttobeused
insupportoftheworkofsuchconferences.
3 RADIOREGULATIONS
TheRadioRegulationscontainsthecompletetextsas
adopted by the World Radiocommunication
Conference (Geneva, 1995) (WRC‐95) and
subsequently revised and adopted by World
Radiocommunication Conferences, including all
Appendices,Resolutions,RecommendationsandITU‐
RRecommendationsincorporatedbyreference.
Thelasteditionof2016oftheRadioRegulations,
containsthecomplete textsofthe RadioRegulations
asadoptedbytheWRC‐95,subsequentlyrevisedand
approvedbytheWRC‐
97,WRC‐2000,WRC‐03,WRC‐
07,WRC‐12andWRC‐15[ITU,2016].
The Radio Regulations consists of four volumes
(Figure1):
1 Articles;
2 Appendices;
3 Resolutions–Recommendations;and
4 ITU‐R Recommendations incorporated by
reference.
Figure1.TheRadioRegulations[ITU,2016]
Thefirstvolumecontains thefollowing examples
ofissues:
Terminologyandtechnicalcharacteristics;
Frequencies;
Interferences;
Provisionsforservicesandstations;
DistressandsafetyCommunications;
Maritimeservices.
The second volume contains the following
examplesofappendices:
APPENDIX 1 (REV.WRC‐12) Classification of
emissionsandnecessarybandwidths;
APPENDIX2 (REV.WRC‐03) Tableof transmitter
frequencytolerances;
APPENDIX3(REV.WRC‐12)Maximumpermitted
power levels for unwanted emissions in the
spuriousdomain;
APPENDIX 15 (REV.WRC‐15) Frequencies for
distressandsafetycommunicationsfortheGlobal
MaritimeDistressandSafetySystem(GMDSS);
APPENDIX 16 (REV.WRC‐07) Documents with
whichstationsonboardshipsandaircraftshallbe
provided.
Thethirdvolumecontainsthefollowingexamples
ofresolutionsandrecommendations:
RESOLUTION 1 Notification of frequency
assignments;
RESOLUTION205(Rev.WRC‐15)Protectionofthe
systemsoperatinginthemobile‐satelliteservicein
thefrequencyband406‐406.1MHz;
RESOLUTION339(Rev.WRC‐07)Coordinationof
NAVTEXservices;
RESOLUTION809(WRC‐15)Agendaforthe2019
WorldRadiocommunicationConference;
RESOLUTION 810 (WRC‐15) Preliminary agenda
for the 2023 World Radiocommunication
Conference;
RECOMMENDATION 316 (Rev.Mob‐87) Use of
ship earth stations within harbours and other
watersundernationaljurisdiction.
The last fourth volume of the Radio Regulations
contains the following examples of ITU‐R
Recommendationsincorporatedbyreference:
Rec. ITU‐R M.476‐5 Direct‐printing telegraph
equipmentinthemaritimemobileservice;
Rec. ITU‐R M.489‐2 Technical characteristics of
VHF radiotelephone equipment operating in the
maritimemobileserviceinchannelsspacedby25
kHz;
599
Rec.ITU‐RM.492‐6Operationalproceduresforthe
use of direct‐printingtelegraphequipment in the
maritimemobileservice;
Rec. ITU‐R M.1171‐0 Radiotelephony procedures
inthemaritimemobileservice.
4 THEPREPARATORYPROCESSFORWRC‐19
In the global preparatory work for WRC‐19
participates ITU and, at the same time, regional
organizations gathering the radiocommunication
administrations of the countries in the region,
internationalorganizationsinterestedin
WRCissues,
eg.theInternationalMaritimeOrganization(IMO) in
matters related to maritime affairs, as well as
radiocommunication administrations of the Member
States.
The global preparatory process for WRC‐19,
includingthetimingofthiswork,isshowninFigure
2[ITU,2015,Res.809].
The end of the WRC-15 Conference
Issue of Final Acts
The Agenda of the WRC-19 developed on the
WRC-15 was published (Resolution 809)
First session
Conference Preparatory Meeting - CPM 19-1
Works in Studio Groups, Working parties
Joint Task Groups ITU
Preparation of the
CPM draft Report
W R C - 19
Preliminary position of regional,
international and national administrations
Coordination of positions
2018 - 2019
Preparation of regional, international
organizations and national
administrations proposals - the first
quarter 2019.
Starting work in regional, international
and national organizations
2-27.11. 2015
30.11-1.12..2015
.
2015
.
2019
18-28.02.2019
28.10-22.11.2019
Second session
Conference Preparatory Meeting - CPM 19-2
Figure2.TheglobalpreparatoryprocessforWRC‐19
The preparatory process within the ITU includes
the work of the Conference Preparatory Meeting
(CPM), Working Parties (WPs), Study Groups (SGs)
andJoinTaskGroups(JTGs).
The first session of the Conference Preparatory
Meeting for WRC‐19 (CPM 19‐1) took place shortly
after the end of WRC‐12 (30.11‐1.12..2015).
Its task
wasto initiatea wholeseriesof complexworks and
arrangementsforproperpreparationfortheWRC‐19
meeting.ThemainissuesdiscussedduringtheCPM
19‐1meetingconcerned:
preparingproposals forthe contentandstructure
oftheprojectofCPMreportonWRC‐19;
organization of preparatory studies based on the
agendaofissuesapprovedonWRC‐15;
preparationofthesecondsessionofCPM19‐2.
A proposal was also prepared for issues to be
discussed in the relevant items of the WRC‐19
agenda.Theseissues,togetherwithalistoftopicsand
tasks,arethebasisfortheseparationofworkbetween
therelevantITU
StudyGroups.
The organization of work and the list of priority
tasksoftheappointedSpecialCommittee(SC)were
alsoadopted.
Figure 3 presents the most important regional
organizationspreparingtheirpositionsforparticular
itemsoftheagendaoftheWRC‐19.
Figure3. Regional organizations involved in preparations
fortheWRC‐19
Themostimportantregionalorganizationstaking
partinthepreparatoryworkforWRC‐15are(Figure
3):
CEPT‐European Conference of Postal and
TelecommunicationsAdministrations,
CITEL‐Inter‐American Telecommunication
Commission,
ATU‐AfricanTelecommunicationsUnion,
APT‐Asia–PacificTelecommunity,
RCC‐Regional Commonwealth in the field of
Communications,
ASMG‐ArabSpectrumManagementGroup.
Each regional organization develops a meeting
plan where it discusses and establishes its point of
view regarding the respective agenda items of the
WRC‐19, taking into account the positions of other
regionalandinternationalorganizations.Atmeetings
of regionalorganizations, individualadministrations
ofcountries
inagivenregionreporttheirproposalsto
ensure that their own interests are met.
Representatives of other regional or international
organizations also participate as observers in the
works and meetings of regional organizations. As a
result of such procedure, a joint, agreed position is
elaborated, which on behalf of its
members will be
broughttotheWRC‐19forum.
The degree of participation of international
organizations interested in radiocommunication
issues depends on the scope of its operation.The
InternationalMaritimeOrganization(IMO),duetoits
area of activity, is interested in issues related to
maritime radiolocation and, discussed in the
article,
the issues of maritime radiocommunication and
strictly speaking the GMDSS issues. The position of
the IMO, in terms of agenda items onʺmaritimeʺ
issues,isdevelopedmainlybytheSub‐Committeeon
Navigation,CommunicationsandSearchandRescue
(NCSR),atitsannualsessions.
600
5 WRC‐19AGENDAITEMSFORTHEMARITIME
RADIOCOMMUNICATION
Amongthe16itemsontheprovisionalagendaofthe
WRC‐19, the most important, directly related to
maritimeradiocommunication, includeagendaitems
1.8,1.9.1,1.9.2and10.
Agendaitem1.8
toconsiderpossibleregulatoryactionstosupport
GlobalMaritimeDistressSafetySystems(GMDSS)
modernizationandtosupporttheintroductionof
additional satellite systems into the GMDSS, in
accordancewithResolution359(Rev.WRC‐15);
InResolution359(Rev.WRC‐15)onConsiderationof
regulatory provisions for updating and modernization
oftheGlobalMaritimeDistressandSafetySystem,the
World Radiocommunication Conference (Geneva,
2015),invitesITU‐Rtoconductstudies,takinginto
consideration the activities of IMO, as well as
information and requirements provided by IMO,
inordertodeterminetheregulatoryprovisionsto
support GMDSS modernization and invites the
2019 World Radiocommunication Conference to
consider the result of ITU Radiocommunication
Sector(ITU‐R)studiesandtakenecessaryactions,
asappropriate,tosupportGMDSSmodernization.
Agendaitem1.9.1
regulatoryactionswithinthefrequencyband156‐
162.05 MHz for autonomous maritime radio
devices to protect the GMDSS and automatic
identifications system (AIS), in accordance with
Resolution362(WRC‐15);
In Resolution 362 (WRC‐15) on Autonomous
maritimeradiodevicesoperatinginthefrequencyband
156‐162.05
MHz,theWorldRadiocommu‐nication
Conference (Geneva, 2015), invites ITU‐R to
conductthenecessarystudiesintimeforWRC‐19
todeterminethespectrumneedsandtechnicaland
operational characteristics of autonomous
maritimeradiodevicesoperatinginthefrequency
band156‐162.05MHzandinvitesthe2019World
Radiocommunication
Conference to consider the
results of ITU‐R studies and take appropriate
action.
Agendaitem1.9.2
modificationsoftheRadioRegulations,including
newspectrumallocationstothemaritimemobile‐
satellite service (Earth‐to‐space and space‐to‐
Earth), preferably within the frequency bands
156.0125‐157.4375 MHz and 160.6125‐162.0375
MHz of appendix 18, to enable a new VHF data
exchange system (VDES) satellite
component,
while ensuring that this component will not
degradethecurrentterrestrialVDEScomponents,
applications specific messages (ASM) and AIS
operations and not impose any additional
constraints on existing services in these and
adjacentfrequencybandsasstatedinrecognizing
d)ande)ofResolution360(Rev.WRC‐15);
InResolution
360(Rev.WRC‐15)onConsideration
ofregulatoryprovisionsandspectrumallocations
to the maritime mobile‐satellite service to enable
thesatellitecomponentoftheVHFDataExchange
System and enhanced maritime
radiocommunication, the World Radio‐
communicationConference(Geneva,2015),invites
ITU‐Rtoconduct,as a matterof urgency, andin
time for WRC‐19, sharing and compatibility
studies between VDES satellite components and
incumbent services in the same and adjacent
frequencybandsspecifiedinrecognizingd)ande)
to determine potential regulatory actions,
including spectrum allocations to the Maritime
Mobile Satellite Service‐MMSS (Earth‐to‐space
and space‐to‐Earth)
for VDES applications, and
invites the 2019 World Radiocommunication
Conference to consider, based on the results of
ITU‐R studies, appropriate modifications of the
RadioRegulations.
Agendaitem10
torecommendtotheCouncilitemsforinclusionin
theagendaforthenextWRC,andtogiveitsviews
on the preliminary agenda for the subsequent
conferenceandonpossibleagendaitemsforfuture
conferences, in accordance with article 7 of the
Convention;
6 IMOPOSITION
ONTHEMARITIME
RADIOCOMMUNICATION
6.1 Agendaitem1.8
Theissueisdividedintotwoparts[IMO,2019]:
A‐concerns the modernization of GMDSS, e.g. the
NAVDAT system and the frequency review for the
modernizedGMDSS;
B‐concernsnewsatelliteoperatorsforGMDSS.
6.1.1 IssueA
IMO is in the process of
GMDSS modernization.
The modernization plan of the GMDSS has been
endorsed by Sub‐Committee on Navigation,
Communications and Search and Rescue‐NCSR 4
andapprovedbyMaritimeSafetyCommittee ‐MSC
98. Some new technologies are introduced for
consideration in the modernization plan of the
GMDSS, such as MF/HF NAVDAT [Korcz
K. 2017].
Meanwhile,ITUiscontinuingthestudyonNAVDAT,
including revisions to ITU‐R recommendations, as
well as spectrum and regulatory issues, under this
agendaitem1.8.
6.1.2 NAVDATsystem
NavigationalData(NAVDAT)istheradiosystem,
for use in the maritime mobile service, operating in
the MF (500 kHz)
and HF bands for digital
broadcasting of maritime safety and security related
information from shore‐to‐ship [ITU‐R, 2012; ITU‐R,
2014].
The NAVDAT system uses a time‐slot allocation
similar to the NAVTEX system which could be
coordinatedbyIMOinthesamemanner.
That system can also
work on Single Frequency
Network (SFN). In this case transmitters are
frequency synchronized and the transmit data must
bethesameforalltransmitter.
The NAVDAT digital system offers a broadcast
transmission of any kind of message from
shore‐to‐shipswithpossibilityofencryption.
601
Anybroadcastingmessageshouldbeprovidedby
asecureandcontrolledsource.
Messagetypes broadcastcaninclude,butare not
limitedto,thefollowing:
–safetyofnavigation;
–security;
–piracy;
–searchandrescue;
–meteorologicalmessages;
–pilotingorharbourmessages;
–vesseltrafficsystemfilestransfer.
These messages are broadcasted for the attention
of all ships, a group of ships or in a specific
navigationarea.Thesemessagescanbeaddressedto
oneship,using themaritime mobileservice identity
(MMSI)aswell.
The NAVDAT system is organized upon five
vectors performing the following functions [ITU‐R,
2012]:
1 Systemofinformationandmanagement(SIM):
collectsandcontrolsallkindsofinformation;
createsmessagefilestobetransmitted;
creates transmitting programme according to
messagefilespriorityandneedofrepetition.
2 Shorenetwork:
assures the transportation of the message files
fromsourcestothetransmitters.
3 Shoretransmitter:
receivesthemessagefilesfromSIM;
translates message files to orthogonal frequency
divisionmultiplexing(OFDM)signal;
transmitsRFsignaltotheantennaforbroadcastto
ships.
4 Transmissionchannel:
transportstheRFsignal.
5 Shipreceiver:
demodulatestheRFOFDMsignal;
reconstructsthemessagefiles;
sortsandmakesthemessagefilesavailableforthe
dedicated equipment according to the message
filesapplications.
Figure4showsthediagramoftheMFNAVDAT
broadcastchain[KorczK.,2017].
Figure4.Thediagramofthe MFNAVDATbroadcastchain
TheSIMtermincludes:
all the sources that deliver file messages
(e.g.meteorological office, safety and security
organizations,etc.);
the file multiplexer which is an application
runningonaserver;
thefilemultiplexermanager;
theshoretransmittermanager.
All the sources are connected to the file
multiplexerthroughanetwork.
Theshorenetworkcanuseabroadbandlink,a low
dataratelinkoralocalfilesharing.
A coastal transmitting station consists of this
minimumconfiguration:
onelocalserverconnectedtoaprotectedaccess;
oneOFDMmodulator;
oneRFamplifier;
onetransmitantennawithmatchingunit;
one GNSS receiver or atomic clock for
synchronization;
onemonitoringreceiverwithitsantenna.
AtypicalNAVDATdigitalreceiveriscomposedof
severalbasicblocks:
receptionantennaandGNSSantenna;
RFfrontend;
demodulator;
filedemultiplexer;
controller;
powersupply.
NAVDAT MF ship receiver performance
specifications has been showed on Table 1 [ITU‐R,
2012].
Table1.Performance specifications ofNAVDAT MFship
receiver
_______________________________________________
Frequencyband495to505kHz
Adjacentchannelprotection>40dB@
5kHz
Noisefactor<20dB
UsablesensitivityforBER=10
−4
<−100dBm
aftererrorcorrection
Dynamic>80dB
MinimalusableRFfield(withadapted 25dB(μV/m)
receivingantenna)
_______________________________________________
The system uses Orthogonal Frequency‐Division
Multiplexing (OFDM) which is a modulation
technologyfordigitaltransmissions.
In the 10 kHz channel bandwidth with RF
propagation,therawdatarateavailablefor thedata
stream (DS) is typically around 25 kbit/s with 16‐
QAMsignal.
With respect to the GMDSS
Modernization Plan
[IMO,2016]:
SOLASchapterIVshouldberevisedtoallowships
touseNAVDATserviceinadditiontoorinplace
of NAVTEX in places where NAVDAT is
available;
when the NAVDAT concept is sufficiently
developed, IMO and ITU should develop the
necessary technical recommendations and
performancestandardsforinternationalNAVDAT
service. This workshould be closely followed by
the development of IMO, IHO, ITU, WMO and
IEC standards as appropria te, for shipborne
NAVDAT and/or combined NAVTEX/NAVDAT
equipment;
602
the need for a NAVDAT coordination scheme
needs to be considered taking account that it
shouldretaintheexistingNAVTEX serviceareas,
butotheraspectsmaynotbecompatiblewiththe
existingNAVTEXcoordinationscheme(allocation
oftransmissiontimes,durationetc.).
6.1.3 IssueB
At MSC 98 the Committee adopted
resolution
MSC.434(98) on Performance standards for a ship earth
station for use in the GMDSS and approved
amendments to SOLAS chapter IV, enabling, when
adopted at MSC 99, the introduction of additional
GMDSS mobile satellite service providers. This
followed the IMSO report to NCSR 4 noting the
suggested timeline provided by
Iridium for
completing thetechnical and operational assessment
ofIridiumin2018.AtMSC99theCommitteeadopted
resolution MSC.451(99), Statement Of Recognition of
Maritime Mobile Satellite Services Provided by Iridium
Satellite LLC. MSC 99 also adopted resolution
MSC.436(99) on Amendments to the International
Convention for the Safety of Life
at Sea, including
amendmentsthroughchapterIVtoreplacereferences
toʺInmarsatʺ with the termʺrecognized mobile
satellite serviceʺ. The change reflects the ability of
recognized providers of mobile satellite services to
meet the GMDSS carriage requirements effective 1
January2020.
ConsideringtheabovediscussionIMOinvitesITU
to
[IMO,2019]:
1 when considering issue A, consider frequency
allocationsforNAVDATwhichIMOsupportsbut
without committing the Organizsation regarding
futurerequirementsontheuseofNAVDAT;
2 when considering issue B to take regulatory
measurestoensurefullprotectionandavailability
of thefrequency bands to beused
by recognized
GMDSS satellite service providers for the
provision of GMDSS services by 1 January 2020;
and
3 resolve any issues under Resolution 359
(Rev.WRC‐15), inrelation to the future operation
of newly recognized GMDSS satellite service
providers.
6.2 Agendaitem1.9.1
Therearesometypesofautonomousmaritimeradio
devices using automatic identification system (AIS)
technology or digital selective calling (DSC)
technology,ortransmittingsyntheticvoicemessages,
or with a combination of those technologies, which
have been developed for, and are operating in, the
maritimeenvironment,andtheirnumberisexpected
toincrease.Someofthesedevicesdonot
enhancethe
safety of navigation or serve the purpose of
communication between coast stations and ship
stations, or between ship stations, or between
associated on‐board communication stations, or
survival craft stations and emergency position‐
indicating radio (EPIRB) beacon stations, but
occupyingthespectrumandidentitiesofthemaritime
mobile service.
There is a need to categorize and
regulate the usage of autonomous maritime radio
devices. ITU at its seventeenth Working Party (WP)
5Bsessionadoptedthepreliminarydraftdefinitionof
AMRD developed at the twelfth IMO Joint Experts
Group meeting and finalized the definition at its
eighteenth WP 5B session
in May 2017. The
categorizationofAMRDandrelevantinformationare
contained in the draft new recommendation ITUR
M.[AMRD].
Having regard to the above the IMO position is
following[IMO,2019]:
1 the integrity of AIS and the Global Maritime
Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) should be
protected;
2 autonomous maritime
radio devices which
enhance the safety of navigation should be
regulatedfortheuseoffrequenciesandidentities
ofthemaritimemobileservice;and
3 forautonomousmaritimeradiodeviceswhichdo
notenhancethesafetyofnavigation,regulationof
the use of frequencies, and technical and
operationalcharacteristics,should
benefitboththe
userofdevicesaswellasmaritimesafety.Anew
numberingschemewhichisdifferentfromthose
intheexistingmaritimemobileserviceshouldbe
consideredaswell.
6.3 Agendaitem1.9.2
6.3.1 VHFDataExchangeSystem
The VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) was
developed by International Association
of Marine
Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities
(IALA)toaddressemergingindicationsofoverloadof
the AIS VHF Data Link (VDL) and simultaneously
enabling a wider seamless data exchange for the
maritime community. The initial concept of VDES
includesthe functionofthe AutomaticIdentification
System(AIS),ApplicationsSpecific
Messages(ASM),
VDE terrestrial component and VDE satellite
component.TheVDESisoneofthepotentialelements
ofe‐navigation.VDESiscapableofexchangingASM,
facilitating numerous applications for safety and
security of navigation, protection of marine
environment,efficiencyofshippingandothers.VDES
willprospectivelyhaveasignificantbeneficial
impact
onthe maritimeinformationservices includingAids
toNavigation(AtN)andVesselTrafficService(VTS)
inthefuture.ItcanpotentiallyprovidelocalMSI.
TheVDESconceptincludesasatellitecomponent.
Thissystemcomponentmightbesuitabletobeused
for the transmission of MSI information in remote
areas
[ITU‐R,2015].
Insufficient study on sharing and compatibility
betweentheVDEsatellitecomponentandincumbent
services in the same and adjacent frequency bands
was the cause that the spectrum issue could not be
resolved at World Radiocommunication Conference
in2015(WRC‐15).Asaconsequence,VDESisstillnot
a
complete functional system as a whole.
Consequential to WRC‐15, the ITU standard for
VDES, Recommendation ITU‐R M.2092‐0, was
approved[ITU, 2016].Aremainingoutstandingissue
istheapprovalofthesatellitecomponentfortheVDE
channelswhichistargetedforapprovalatWRC‐19.
603
According to IALA Guideline 1117ʺVDES
Overviewʺ, the following potential VDES use cases
areidentified:
Searchandrescuecommunications;
MaritimeSafetyInformation;
ShipReporting;
VesselTrafficServices;
ChartsandPublications;
RouteExchange;and
Logistics.
VDES satellitecomponent would offer additional
communications in polar regions and other remote
areasfortheaboveusecases.Theseusecasesareall
cross referenced to Maritime Service Portfolios
identified in IMO e‐navigation Strategic
Implementation Plan (SIM) and possibly also to
modernizationofGMDSSinfuture.
The
study of the candidate frequency bands
156.0125‐157.4375 MHz and 160.6125‐162.0375 MHz
would mainly concern the relationship with the
existing services primarily allocated for the land
mobileserviceandmaritimemobileservice,andwith
the services within lower adjacent frequency band
from154MHzto156MHzandforthe
higheradjacent
frequencybandfrom162MHzto164MHz.
Takingintoaccounttheabove,theIMOʹsposition
intheissueisasfollows[IMO,2019]:
1 Recognizing that the VDES satellite component
shouldnotbringanyharmfulinterference:
modifications should not be required to existing
AISequipmentonboardexistingvessels;
theintegrityoftheGMDSSshouldbeprotected;
an identification of the frequencies for the VDES
satellitecomponentshouldprotecttheintegrityof
the original operational purpose of AIS on the
existingAISfrequencies;
2 IMOsupports the availability of VDES including
bothterrestrialandsatellitecomponents.
6.4 Agendaitem10
Resolution 810(WRC‐15) containing the preliminary
agenda for WRC‐23, lists as item 2.1, to consider
possible spectrum needs and regulatory actions to
supportGlobalMaritime DistressandSafetySystem
(GMDSS) modernization and the
implementation of
e‐navigation, in accordance with Resolution 361
(WRC‐15)[ITU,2015,Res.810].
As a consequence of GMDSS modernization, the
SOLAS Convention will be revised, which is
preliminarily planned to be finalized by June 2022
andtoenterintoforcein2024.
MSC‐99hasreceived anapplication
torecognize
an existing mobile satellite system as part of the
GMDSS andinstructed theNCSRSub‐Committee to
undertakethetechnicalandoperationalevaluation.
Consideringtheabove,IMO’spositionistoretain
agenda item 2.1 of resolution 810 (WRC‐15)
containing the preliminary agenda for WRC‐23, to
consider possible
spectrum needs and regulatory
actions to support Global Maritime Distress and
Safety System (GMDSS) modernization and the
implementation of e‐navigation, in accordance with
Resolution 361 (WRC‐15), which may need to be
amended.
7 CONCLUSIONS
ThefutureoftheGMDSS ModernizationPlan[IMO,
2016] is closely connected with the
development of
the e‐navigation project and the detailed role of the
radiocommunicationinthisprocess.Withoutadoubt
a data communication network will be one of the
most important parts of the e‐navigation [Korcz K.,
2015].
IntheAuthor’sopinionthemostimportantactions
required at this stage of
work on the GMDSS
modernization are decisions taken on the upcoming
WorldRadiocommunicationConferencetakingpla ce
in 2019 (WRC‐19) and future World
RadiocommunicationConferencein2023(WRC‐23).
The main issue in the work on GMDSS
modernization is prepare a good changes in the
SOLAS Convention and appropriate changes
in the
RadioRegulation.
Itshouldbenotedthatitisveryimportantthatthe
work on changes in Radio Regulation be correlated
withtheworkoftheIMOonthemodernizationofthe
GMDSS system.The Table 2 reflectsthe IMO action
planonmodernizationoftheGMDSSsystem.
Taking
into account the above work, the Work
Plan for the revision and development of legal
instruments, performance standards and guidance
materialhastobeadoptedaswell.
During this work it is necessary first to identify
real user needs and secondly to realize that the
modernization of the maritime radiocommunication
shouldnotbedrivenonlybytechnicalrequirements.
In addition, it is necessary to ensure that man‐
machine‐interface and the human element will be
taken into account including the training of the
personnel. The lessons learnt from the original
development and operation of GMDSS should be
takenintoaccountas
well.
Table2. Coordinated Plan of Work for the IMO
ModernizationProject
_______________________________________________
Year YearDeliverable
_______________________________________________
2019 SeconddraftoftherevisionofSOLASandrelated
instruments;
ApprovedrevisionoftheCriteriafortheprovision
ofmobile‐satellitecommunicationservicesin
GMDSS;
_______________________________________________
2020 FinaldraftrevisionofSOLASandrelated
instruments;
DraftperformancestandardsforNAVDAT;
_______________________________________________
2021 ApprovedSOLASamendmentsandrelated
instruments;
ApprovedperformancestandardsforNAVDAT;
_______________________________________________
2022 AdoptedSOLASamendments(andrelated
instruments,asappropriate);
_______________________________________________
2023 ‐
_______________________________________________
2024 SOLASrevisionsinforce.
_______________________________________________
Furthermore, the continuousandopen process is
needed to ensure it remains modern and fully
responsivetochangesinrequirementsandevolutions
of technology and it will meet the expected e‐
navigation requirements. To ensure it, a mechanism
604
for continuous evolution of the maritime
radiocommunication (GMDSS) in a systematic way
shouldbecreatedaswell.
InthisapproachtodevelopmentoftheGMDSS it
is very importantthat the integrity of GMDSS must
notbejeopardized.
And finally it should be noted that a key to the
success
of the modernization process of the GMDSS
ande‐navigationprojectis notonlythattheworkis
completedontime,butalsothatithastheflexibility
toimplementchangesaheadofschedule.
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International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Radio
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International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
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International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
RESOLUTION 810 (WRC‐15). Preliminary agenda for
the2023WorldRadiocommunicationConference,2015.
InternationalMaritimeOrganization(IMO),Sub‐Committee
onNavigation,
CommunicationsandSearchandRescue
‐NCSR4.ReporttotheMSC,London,2016.
InternationalMaritimeOrganization(IMO),Sub‐Committee
onNavigation,CommunicationsandSearchandRescue
‐NCSR6.ReporttotheMSC,London,2019.
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