Marine navigation. Nautical data solutions by Datema
Although the economy shows a downturn, the hydrographic community and ECDIS manufacturers are gearing up for the mandation of ECDIS from 2012 onward according to the following schedule :
- Passenger ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards constructed on or after 1 July 2012
- Tankers of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed on or after 1 July 2012
- Cargo ships (other than tankers) of 10,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed on or after 1 July 2013
- Cargo ships (other than tankers) of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 10,000 gross tonnage constructed on or after 1 July 2014
- Passenger ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards constructed before 1 July 2012, not later than the first survey on or after 1 July 2014
- Tankers of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed before 1 July 2012, not later than the first survey on or after 1 July 2015
- Cargo ships (other than tankers) of 50,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed before 1 July 2013, not later than the first survey on or after 1 July 2016
- Cargo ships (other than tankers) of 20,000 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 50,000 gross tonnage constructed before 1 July 2013, not later than the first survey on or after 1 July 2017
The mandation will be up for final approval in the IMO’s 86th MCS meeting (Maritime Safety Committee) from 27 May to 5 June 2009.
The driving factor behind the mandation of ECDIS is a major improvement in safety and a reduction in grounding risks. Many of the safety benefits of ECDIS are immediately obvious: much improved situational awareness, faster and more accurate updating, a reduced workload etc. Along with the benefits there is also a long list of challenges which have to be tackled for ECDIS to have its expected positive effect on safety. Training is one important aspect, but coverage, availability and distribution of ENC data is another important prerequisite to unleashing the full potential of ECDIS.
