LRIT

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LRIT example

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LRIT Inmarsat-C
Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) System

Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) System

The Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) system is an international initiative established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance the global identification and tracking of ships. Implemented as part of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, LRIT aims to bolster maritime security, safety, and environmental protection by providing accurate and timely information about the location and identity of ships worldwide.

Overview
Technical Details
Implementation
Comparison

Purpose and Objectives

  • Maritime Security: Prevent and respond to threats like piracy and terrorism.
  • Search and Rescue (SAR): Locate and assist vessels in distress efficiently.
  • Environmental Protection: Monitor traffic in sensitive areas to reduce risks.
  • Port State Control: Enhance early information on vessels approaching ports.
  • Flag State Monitoring: Enable effective oversight of national fleets.

Historical Background: LRIT was established following amendments to Chapter V of the SOLAS Convention at the 81st meeting of the Maritime Safety Committee in 2006. The system became operational on July 1, 2009.

Regulatory Framework

Governed by SOLAS Regulation V/19-1. Mandatory since January 2008 for ships engaged in international voyages, including:

  • Passenger ships, including high-speed passenger craft
  • Cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and above
  • Mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs)

Users and Applications

  • Flag States: Track compliance and monitor fleets.
  • Port States: Pre-arrival assessments for incoming ships.
  • Coastal States: Monitor nearby maritime zones (up to 1000 nm).
  • SAR Services: Locate vessels during emergencies.

System Components

LRIT System Visualization

Passenger Ship
Cargo Ship
Tanker
  • Shipborne Equipment: Satellite-based transmitters (typically Inmarsat-C, Iridium, or other approved satellite communication systems). The equipment must be capable of automatically transmitting the ship's identity, position (latitude/longitude), and date/time of the position.
  • Communication Service Providers (CSPs): Satellite companies that transmit the information from ships to Application Service Providers.
  • Application Service Providers (ASPs): Process LRIT data received from ships and route it to the appropriate Data Centers.
  • LRIT Data Centers (DCs):
    • National DCs: Operated by individual countries for their flagged vessels
    • Regional DCs: Serve multiple countries in a specific region
    • Cooperative DCs: Operated by a group of countries under a cooperative arrangement
    • International DC: Operated by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) on behalf of the IMO for countries without access to other DCs
  • International LRIT Data Exchange (IDE): Central hub that routes LRIT information between Data Centers. Originally hosted by the United States and later transferred to the European Maritime Safety Agency.
  • LRIT Data Distribution Plan (DDP): Central database containing information about LRIT Users, service providers, and geographical areas for data distribution.

Data Flow and Access

Ships send position reports that include:

  • The identity of the ship (IMO Number)
  • Position (latitude and longitude)
  • Date and time of the position

Information is transmitted at standard 6-hour intervals, but frequency can be increased to every 15 minutes during emergency situations. Data is routed through the following process:

  1. Ship equipment transmits data via satellite
  2. Communication Service Provider receives and routes data
  3. Application Service Provider processes the information
  4. Flag State's Data Center stores and manages the data
  5. International LRIT Data Exchange distributes information to authorized users

Technical Requirements

Component Requirements
Ship Equipment
  • Automatic position reporting capability
  • Tamper-proof design
  • Remote polling capability
Position Reports
  • Ship identity (IMO number)
  • Position (latitude/longitude)
  • Date and time of position (UTC)
Transmission Frequency
  • Standard: Every 6 hours
  • On demand: As requested
  • Emergency: Every 15 minutes

Implementation Timeline

  • May 2006: IMO adopts amendments to SOLAS Chapter V regulation 19-1
  • January 1, 2008: LRIT regulations enter into force
  • December 31, 2008: Original deadline for compliance
  • July 1, 2009: Global LRIT system becomes fully operational

Testing and Certification

Before a vessel can participate in the LRIT system, it must undergo:

  • Conformance testing of shipboard equipment
  • Integration testing with the relevant Data Center
  • System certification by flag state administration

Data Security and Privacy

LRIT data is subject to strict security and confidentiality provisions:

  • Access is limited to authorized SOLAS Contracting Governments
  • Encryption is used for all data transmissions
  • Audit trails track all access to LRIT information
  • Data can only be used for safety, security, and environmental protection purposes

International Cooperation

Data is exchanged securely between contracting governments to support global maritime situational awareness and rapid incident response. The system facilitates cooperation between:

  • Flag States (responsible for ships flying their flag)
  • Port States (tracking vessels intending to enter their ports)
  • Coastal States (monitoring ships navigating within 1000nm of their coast)
  • Search and Rescue authorities

Comparison with AIS

Feature LRIT AIS (Automatic Identification System)
Primary Purpose Security, tracking, and monitoring Collision avoidance and traffic management
Range Global (satellite-based) Line of sight (~40 nautical miles, VHF radio)
Data Access Restricted to authorized governments Publicly available
Transmission Frequency Every 6 hours (standard) Every few seconds to minutes (dynamic)
Information Basic (identity, position, time) Comprehensive (identity, position, course, speed, etc.)
Cost Higher (satellite transmission fees) Lower (RF transmission)

LRIT and VMS Comparison

LRIT is often compared to Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) used in fisheries management:

  • LRIT: Focuses on merchant vessels and is mandatory under SOLAS.
  • VMS: Primarily used for fishing vessels and is required by fisheries management authorities.

Future Developments

Improvements and future enhancements to the LRIT system include:

  • Integration with e-Navigation frameworks
  • Enhanced cybersecurity protocols
  • More accurate satellite positioning technology
  • Integration with other maritime surveillance systems (VMS, AIS, radar)
  • Development of the Common Maritime Data Structure (CMDS)
  • Advanced analytics for anomaly detection and risk assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What ships are required to use LRIT?

The following ships engaged on international voyages are required to be fitted with LRIT:

  • Passenger ships, including high-speed passenger craft
  • Cargo ships, including high-speed craft, of 300 gross tonnage and upwards
  • Mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs)

Ships operating exclusively in sea area A1 (approximately 20-30 nautical miles from shore) may be exempted if they are fitted with AIS and operate only within the range of shore-based VHF stations.

How often does a ship transmit LRIT information?

LRIT information is normally transmitted every 6 hours. However, more frequent transmission can be requested:

  • Standard: Every 6 hours
  • Upon request: As frequently as every 15 minutes
  • Search and Rescue: Increased frequency during emergencies
Who can access LRIT information?

Access to LRIT information is strictly controlled and limited to:

  • Flag States: Can access data for all vessels flying their flag, regardless of location
  • Port States: Can access data for vessels that have declared intention to enter their ports
  • Coastal States: Can access data for vessels navigating within 1000 nautical miles of their coast
  • Search and Rescue Services: Can access data for vessels in distress or in the vicinity of a distress situation

Commercial entities or individuals cannot access LRIT data directly.

What is the difference between LRIT and AIS?

While both systems provide vessel tracking, they serve different purposes:

  • LRIT is a secure, long-range system with controlled access, designed primarily for maritime security and monitoring.
  • AIS is a short-range, public system designed primarily for collision avoidance and navigational safety.

LRIT has global coverage through satellites, while AIS is limited to VHF radio range (typically 20-40 nautical miles) unless supplemented by satellite receivers.

References and Further Reading

Compiled from IMO, USCG, EMSA, and maritime industry publications.