The implementation of e-Navigation services: Are we ready?

Paper in proceeding, 2018

Advanced technologies and services are being developed to improve safety and efficiency of navigation at sea. The Sea Traffic Management (STM) EU Project is one of the largest e-Navigation projects examining the digitalization of the shipping sector. The newly developed "STM Services" allow ships to share their monitored route with other ships, planned and/or monitored routes with shore centers and receive suggested routes from shore centers. These tools also allow ships to receive navigational warnings, ETA updates, and chat messages from shore center services. The European Maritime Simulator Network (EMSN), consisting of twelve ship handling simulators based in seven EU countries, examines the potential impact of these services through full scale simulations with scenarios involving up to 30 ships, complimenting the feasibility and understanding of implementing the STM services in live test beds. Two weeks of full scale EMSN simulations with seafarers were completed comparing navigation as it is today with navigation using STM Services. Structured debriefing sessions were completed at the end of every day, to obtain feedback on the STM Services. The feedback from participant debriefs was analyzed in relation to safety, efficiency, and usability of the STM Services. The results indicate that the seafarers are positive about the idea of e-Navigation services, and believe that these services could provide additional time to plan, act, and respond to a navigational challenge. However, there were concerns related to their implementation, and the potential negative affect of digitization of current navigational processes which may lead to an increased risk for incidents related to situation awareness, mis-communication, and human error.