Enhanced AtoNs for safe and efficient operation and navigation pre-project

Maintenance of aids to navigation (AtoN) is costly. Current cost for Norway is around NOK 150 million/year. Aids to Navigation Fund (ANF) in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, has advised that a shortfall of USD 8 million is anticipated in 2015. In ar eas that have ice cover during the winter, e.g. Northern Sea Route, costs and maintenance problems will be substantial. Modern international navigation relies on electronic means, including positioning, charts and coastal authorities. E-navigation defines Maritime Service Portfolios (MSP) to extend functionality in this area. Some AtoN may become obsolete because of this. However, other users still depend on the use of physical marks, particularly users with none or few of the e-Navigation equipment on bo ard. Exchanging conventional AtoN with electronics requires that the user needs and the technology is scrutinized to verify and document that the usefulness, safety and security of the new systems are at least as good for all users. Parameters that must b e investigated are operational needs (daytime, night-time/winter, summer), technology reliability and need for redundancy, data distribution services (Internet, internationally standardized services, mobile phone based) and the danger of wilful or uninten tional interference with services or technology. The EASE-ON project will do the necessary user requirements and technology analysis to come up with a new concept for electronic AtoN that is much more cost-effective than traditional systems and will also offer the user groups much improved user friendliness as well as improved safety and security. The project will liaise with e-navigation through leading international parties in this area, leading international parties in this area, including direct invol vement of IMO, IALA, ICS, BIMCO and CIRM. Norwegian industry will position itself to deliver equipment and services for such systems, into a market that is worth several billion USD today.