The International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) convened the fifty-second session of its Advisory Committee today in London, bringing together representatives of Member States to review developments affecting satellite services that support maritime safety and global maritime communications.
Over the coming days, the Committee will examine a range of issues connected with IMSO’s oversight responsibilities under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and the Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) system. These two systems play an essential role in supporting maritime safety at sea, assisting search and rescue operations, and strengthening maritime domain awareness around the world.
In relation to the GMDSS, the Committee will review recent developments involving recognized mobile satellite service providers and consider broader changes taking place in the satellite communications sector. These discussions will focus in particular on how such developments may affect the availability, resilience and continuity of maritime safety communications. The Committee will also examine concerns relating to the transmission of distress alerts from barred terminals and the measures being considered to address this issue in order to preserve the integrity and reliability of the distress alerting system.
The Committee will also consider updates relating to the LRIT system, including operational developments, ongoing efforts to support the integration of additional States into the system, and work undertaken by the Directorate in cooperation with the International Maritime Organization and national LRIT Data Centres. The LRIT system provides a secure, reliable and globally coordinated mechanism for the identification and tracking of ships. It remains an important tool for enhancing maritime domain awareness and supporting search and rescue operations.
Member States will further review recent activities undertaken by the Directorate, including cooperation with the International Maritime Organization and other international partners, as well as capacity-building initiatives designed to assist States in implementing and effectively using maritime safety communication systems.
The session will also provide an opportunity for the Committee to review organizational and administrative matters relating to IMSO’s work programme and governance.
The Advisory Committee provides an important forum through which Member States review IMSO’s activities and exchange views on issues relating to satellite services that support maritime safety and security worldwide. The session will continue over the coming days as the Committee proceeds with the consideration of the items included in its agenda.
