For those who sail our oceans blue: ITU regulations put safety first

World Maritime Day 2024 celebrates the work of the global maritime community to enhance safety, protect the marine environment, and continually anticipate technological and regulatory updates.

By Mario Maniewicz, Director, ITU Radiocommunication Bureau

Across the vast expanse of our world’s oceans, safety and communication are paramount.

Whether for fishing, tourism, recreation or international shipping, the safety of life at sea depends on reliable and secure radio channels that are free from harmful interference.

 Global supply chains rely on safe, secure, and efficient maritime shipping industry, which are essential for global trade, as well as to achieve sustainable economic growth and development.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) supports, and continuously works to improve, maritime safety and security.

ITU’s mandate as the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies includes the allocation and protection of radio frequency spectrum for maritime communications, as well as developing standards for maritime radiocommunication systems.

By regulating the use of radio frequencies, ITU keeps vital communication channels free from interference. This keeps reliable communication pathways free for distress signals and navigation guidance, along with general maritime communications.

The International Radiotelegraph Convention of 1906 – forerunner of today’s Radio Regulations – established the principle of compulsory intercommunication between vessels at sea and the land, and that priority would be given to “SOS” as the standard maritime distress call worldwide.

Today, ITU’s maritime frequency allocations support a wide range of services, including voice communication, digital data transmission, and radar operations.

Radiocommunications for maritime safety

Technical standards developed through ITU are crucial for interoperability between different communication devices and systems in the maritime sector. ITU standards ensure that all kinds of maritime communication equipment work together seamlessly, reliably and efficiently.

Standardization also facilitates the adoption of innovative technologies, ensuring they meet safety and operational requirements.

ITU collaborates with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to develop future requirements for maritime radiocommunications, accounting for the operational needs defined by IMO and the regulatory needs defined by ITU. 

ITU’s World Radiocommunication Conferences allocate the necessary frequency resources for maritime radio services, so that ITU and IMO can together provide the maritime industry stable regulations for harmonized usage of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), Automatic Identification System (AIS), numerous navigation aids, and more.

Earth observation satellites observe and measure the ocean’s physical and biological characteristics from space, providing vital information for sustainable oceans.  Global navigational and meteorological satellites make maritime transport safer and more efficient, providing vital navigational and weather information using real-time data.

Latest regulatory updates

The last World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23), held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, adopted key updates to modernize the GMDSS.

Conference decisions aligned the ITU Radio Regulations with the latest IMO rules and strengthened distress and safety communications at sea.

These regulatory updates enable further maritime communications and GMDSS development with newer technologies such as the automatic connection system (ACS) and navigational data system (NAVDAT) for broadcasting maritime safety information.

The conference also provisionally recognized the BeiDou Satellite Messaging Service System for GMDSS use, subject to establishing coordination with existing networks and eliminating interference.

Maritime information resources

ITU’s main maritime service publications – namely List IV (coast stations), List V (ship stations),and the Maritime Manual) contain vital information on radiocommunication facilities and GMDSS operation.

Details provided about ship radio stations and coastal radio stations worldwide facilitate ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communications. The publications also include operating frequencies for search and rescue authorities and procedures to obtain shoreside medical advice.

A new desktop application accompanying the 2024 edition of List V allows users to download an online version of the publication with enhanced search functions.

ITU’s 24/7 online Maritime mobile Access and Retrieval System (MARS) also provides access to the information registered in the ITU maritime database for ships, coast stations, AIS navigation aids, and search and rescue aircraft.

MARS, updated daily, currently covers over 900,000 vessels and around 2,600 coast stations.

Search-and-rescue authorities worldwide count on the instant availability of such maritime communications information when needed.

International maritime cooperation

The entire global maritime sector is committed to safety.

World Maritime Day 2024 calls for “Navigating the future: safety first!“

Increasingly, all segments of the maritime industry recognize the need for environmental sustainability.

UN agencies such as IMO and ITU promote sustainable practices and innovative technologies to ensure the long-term ocean health and the resilience of maritime activities.

International collaboration remains a cornerstone of ITU’s radiocommunication, standardization, and development work. By fostering cooperation between governments, industry stakeholders, and international organizations, the organization keeps global maritime communication systems – among others – robust, reliable, and secure.

The collaborative approach remains key amid rapidly evolving challenges today.

By further strengthening maritime communications, ITU upholds environmental, operational, and safety standards on ships. Maritime radio services safeguard lives, help protect the environment, and enable ongoing innovation for sustainable maritime development.

As we celebrate World Maritime Day on 26 September, let us recognize the collective responsibility of the global maritime community in navigating towards a sustainable future.

By embracing environmental stewardship, advancing safety and security, fostering innovation, and strengthening international cooperation, we can ensure that the maritime industry continues to thrive while preserving the health of our oceans and the well-being of future generations.

Header image credit: Adobe Stock