The Service Catalogue lists the services that are available to Member States and the three Agencies, and that involve contributions by two or more agencies in their delivery.
As coast guard functions entail ‘incident-driven’ actions and/or ‘monitoring-driven’ actions, the three Agencies develop services to support such actions.
The list of services, with information on who can access those services and details on how to do so, are provided in the interactive catalogue. Descriptions of the main data sets used in the provision of those services can be found below.
The service may be composed of an array of datasets, associated databases, platforms, and tools. It may combine processes involving data collection, management, exploitation, and visualisation.
Vessel positions, characteristics and related data
Earth observation-based sources
Data analysis tools and visualization
Other maritime-related information platforms
Vessel positions, characteristics, and related data
A range of data sources are used to provide these services. For example, the EMSA services are based on advanced data processing, using data available either directly through the Agency’s maritime applications or from external sources. Depending on the user, different combinations of data can be streamed directly to national systems, presented on a user-friendly graphical interface, and delivered on mobile devices. Data is distributed according to established access rights.
The following are some of the main data sources:
- Terrestrial Automatic Identification System
- The Terrestrial Automatic Identification System (T-AIS) is a maritime broadcast system, based on the transmission of very high frequency radio signals. Ships send reports with their ship identification, position and course, as well as information on their cargo. In Europe, the exchange of AIS messages is implemented through the SafeSeaNet system (SSN).
- The Union Maritime Information and Exchange System (SafeSeaNet)
- The Union Maritime Information and Exchange System (SSN) is a cross-sector and cross-border information sharing and exchange system, providing integrated maritime services for the purpose of maritime safety, port and maritime security, marine environment protection and efficiency of maritime traffic and maritime transport as well as situational awareness at sea and maritime surveillance; the system links maritime authorities from across Europe through a network of maritime data exchange. SSN includes vessel information from AIS, Mandatory Reporting Systems (MRS), data on port calls, dangerous and polluting goods, security, waste and cargo residues, and information on safety-related incidents.
- EMSA is responsible for developing, operating, and maintaining the central SSN system and interacts with users on an operational basis.
- Satellite AIS
- Satellites can also receive AIS position messages. The exchange of AIS information via satellite, through commercial providers, has increased the geographical range over which ships can be tracked; in such a case, the data is provided in less than an hour.
- The satellite AIS data available through EMSA and shared with EFCA and Frontex has global coverage.
- Long Range Identification and Tracking
- Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) is a global ship identification and tracking system based on satellite communications. Under International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulations, passenger ships, cargo ships (300 gross tonnage and above) and mobile offshore drilling units on international voyages send mandatory position reports once every 6 hours. EMSA operates the LRIT Cooperative Data Centre (CDC), through which users of ‘EU LRIT CDC Participating Countries’ can access the LRIT information on their flagged ships worldwide.
- Member States receive the mandatory position reports for free, as associated costs are paid from the EU budget by EMSA. An arrangement is in place whereby Member States can choose to share data on their flagged ships with other Member States for free.
- In addition, users of ‘EU LRIT CDC Participating Countries’ can receive, upon request but at cost, data regarding vessels of any flag bound to or sailing within 1 000 nautical miles of EU waters.
- EMSA maritime central reference databases
- EMSA manages numerous maritime central databases. Of particular current interest (also in relation to the European Maritime Single Window environment, EMSWe) are the Central Organisation Database (COD), Central Hazmat Database (CHD) and the Central Ship Database (CSD).
- The COD stores information related to public organisations, such as local and national authorities involved with the SafeSeaNet Ecosystem. The initial purpose of the COD was to serve as the Shore-based Traffic Monitoring Infrastructure Database (STMID), which simplifies and facilitates the sharing of information on authorities and coastal stations which have been designated by Member States under Article 22 of Directive 2002/59/EC establishing a Community vessel traffic monitoring and information system.
- The CSD can be used to cross-check ship identity data (IMO, MMSI, name, call sign and flag) stored within national ship databases or received from reporting parties. Ship particulars (e.g., tonnage, length, beam) are also available when relevant stakeholders provide these details. The CSD is hosted at EMSA and provides a common service for internal EMSA users and all Member States.
- The main objective of the CHD is to enhance the quality of reporting on dangerous and polluting goods in the SafeSeaNet system. It includes a comprehensive list of all the dangerous and polluting goods that have to be notified under Directive 2002/59/EC establishing a Community vessel traffic monitoring and information system, as amended. It also provides access to the marine chemical information sheets (MAR-CIS) database of associated hazards and risks of dangerous and polluting products. The CHD is accessible to Member State authorities, industry, and the general public.
- Fisheries-specific data and information
- As part of the Joint Deployment Plans (JDP) and under international obligations, EFCA receives a range of fisheries-related data and services from Member States’ competent authorities and international organisations.
- Vessel Monitoring System
- The Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is a satellite-based monitoring system, which at regular intervals provides data to the flag state fisheries authorities on the location, course, and speed of fishing vessels. In the EU, the use of this system is mandatory for fishing vessels of 12 metres’ length overall or more.
- The fishing vessels are fitted with an on-board, tamper-proof terminal. This terminal receives, via satellite, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) positional data and then transmits via satellite the VMS data, normally every 1 or 2 hours (maximum), to a Land Earth Station (LES) for onward transmission to the relevant fisheries monitoring centre. The system is designed to operate in a fully automatic way with no manual input required.
- VMS is used to check the near real-time and historical positions of a fishing vessel to comply with catch records, to support the implementation of legislation on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities and to assist coast guard functions. As part of the JDP, EFCA receives VMS data from all EU Member States involved in each JDP. Member States also send, to EFCA, VMS data they have received from third-country vessels authorised to fish in their waters.
- As EFCA also coordinates JDPs in international waters, fisheries management organisations send data to the EFCA VMS from third-country fishing vessels active in these areas.
- Electronic Recording and Reporting System
- The Electronic Recording and Reporting System (ERS) is used for the automatic exchange of fishing activity data. This data is reported by fishing vessels to the national authorities of the flag state and is exchanged through the ERS using a standard format and protocol between the flag state and other parties (coastal state, control state, EFCA). The ERS is in use for EU fishing logbooks (including catches and landing declarations, etc.) and EFCA receives data for a pre-established list of vessels.
Earth observation-based sources
- Copernicus Maritime Surveillance Service
- Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite images
- SAR sensors use microwave frequencies to retrieve backscatter measurements from the detected surface below (sea or land). The images can be acquired regardless of weather conditions and cloud cover, and at any time of day or night.
- SAR images of the ocean greatly depend on surface roughness caused by wind stress on the sea. By measuring wave heights, resulting images display features which stand out against the background; for example, vessels and other man-made structures appear as bright spots, while oil spills or areas with very low wind appear as dark shapes.
- Optical satellite images
- Optical images can provide a wealth of information in different spectral bands. They provide easier image interpretation and object identification due to the combination of Red-Green-Blue (RGB) frequencies and higher contrast, albeit with very high dependency on sunlight and weather conditions. Optical sensors cannot capture images during the night or in cloud cover conditions.
- Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service
- Oceanographic Satellite products
- Some Sentinel satellites are dedicated to ocean monitoring with instruments such as altimeters, radiometers and optical instruments with dedicated spectral bands. These three types of sensors (onboard e.g. Sentinel3, Sentinel6) provide reference observation to derive any information on the ocean state and physics to deliver ocean forecasts: currents, waves, sea level, sea-ice, temperature, salinity. Combined with many sources of optical imagery they deliver as well observations of the biogeochemical content at sea (including for related forecasts).
Aerial platform-based sources
- Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
- The Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems services assist in maritime surveillance operations, supporting authorities involved in coast guard functions undertaken by Member States and EU agencies, such as:
- maritime pollution detection and emissions monitoring;
- detection of illegal fishing, anti-drug trafficking, and illegal immigration;
- support for marine pollution response operations;
- search and rescue operations;
- support for law enforcement activities.
- Used as a complementary tool in the overall surveillance chain, RPAS have the ability to fly for a long time (more than 10 hours, depending on the system). This allows monitoring of large areas, and RPAS can stay ‘on site’ if needed both during the day and at night.
- The current EMSA RPAS portfolio includes vertical-take-off-and-landing (VTOL) systems as well as fixed-wing RPAS, some of which use satellite communication to enable beyond radio line-of-sight operations. VTOL RPAS are particularly useful for fisheries control, ship emission monitoring (using ‘sniffers’ in a ship’s plume) and pollution response operations. Depending on their maximum payload mass, RPAS can carry an array of sensors, such as optical and/or infrared video cameras for day/night surveillance, infrared radiation (IR) and/or radar sensors for ship and oil slick detection.
- The live video streams and data collected through RPAS are distributed via a web based RPAS Data Centre, which allows access from work and/or at remote locations. The data is fused with the maritime picture that is already available through the integration of other maritime surveillance services.
- The Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems services assist in maritime surveillance operations, supporting authorities involved in coast guard functions undertaken by Member States and EU agencies, such as:
- Manned aircraft-based sources
- The manned services allow for real-time monitoring, among other things, of the ‘prefrontier’ areas of interest, whereas the surveillance data is made available to the requestors immediately during the operation.
- A real-time video and information streams are provided by sensors installed on the aerial platform and transmitted directly to the monitoring room and partner coordination centres in the EU.
- The primary aim is to support the national authorities of Member States and Schengen Associated Countries involved in coast guard functions, EU agencies and entities in surveillance and monitoring activities within a specific area of interest (AOI) focusing on the EU’s ‘pre-frontiers’.
- Multipurpose aerial surveillance supports users engaged in:
- maritime surveillance activities related to coast guard functions;
- detection of boats in distress, triggering search and rescue operations, and further contributions to national search and rescue authorities upon request;
- combating illegal migration and cross-border crime;
- Frontex and EFCA provide these services through a joint inter-institutional framework contract.
Other main data sources
- Meteorological-oceanographic data
- A range of meteorological-oceanographic data is available and has been integrated in EMSA systems. The data sets are described below.
- The European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODNet) provides access to data from over 1 500 in-situ platforms. Information is geo-located and divided per type of platform.
- The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) provides access to meteorological satellites sensing oceans at coarse resolution but in real-time specifically for weather prediction services and ocean surface monitoring.
- The Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS) ingests satellite, weather and in-situ data to deliver operational ocean forecasting services for the blue ocean (temperature, currents, sea level, winds, waves), the white ocean (more than 10 sea-ice parameters including concentration, thickness, drift and icebergs), and the green ocean (e.g. chlorophyll, plankton, optical properties, nutrients, carbon-related products and chemical content such as iron, phosphate, nitrate).
- The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (ECAMS) provides forecasts along the different layers of the atmosphere about its content in
- sulphur dioxide;
- nitrogen dioxide;
- carbon dioxide.
- A range of meteorological-oceanographic data is available and has been integrated in EMSA systems. The data sets are described below.
- Additional ship-related and voyage information
- Member States also exchange additional data (on ships, voyages, inspections and other related information) through the EMSA systems. This includes, among other things: inspection data and alerts related to international or EU regulations (THETIS, THETIS-EU); accident investigation reports (EMCIP); seafarers’ certification data (STCW-IS); marine equipment approvals (MarED); notifications of port arrival and departure, carriage of hazardous goods and incident reports (SafeSeaNet).
Data analysis tools and visualisation
As mentioned earlier, there is a need to exploit and visualise data and associated databases. Some of the related tools and platforms are listed below.
- Automated Behaviour Monitoring (ABM) algorithms/Anomaly Detection Service
- ABMs are algorithm-based tools that analyse ship positions to detect specific ship behaviour and alert the relevant operator. More than 20 algorithms have been developed to date, including algorithms for entering an area of interest, an encounter between two ships at sea, and a ship approaching shore. All ABMs can be selected and configured directly by the user; operators are automatically alerted in real time via email or through the SafeSeaNet Graphical User Interface (SEG) graphical user interface.
- ABMs are used by an ever-growing number of EU Member States and bodies in various operational contexts, such as fisheries control, border control, security, safety of marine traffic, coastal protection, and environmental protection.
- ABMs are available through the EMSA Integrated Maritime Services (IMS) to Member States and EFCA. The associated platform is the ‘SEG’. They are also provided to Frontex, on a system-to-system basis, through the Joint Operation Reporting Application (JORA). On the Frontex platform, they are known as the Anomaly Detection Service.
- Earth Observation value-added products
- Value-added products aid users by extracting particularly valuable information from the basic image products, allowing authorities to undertake higher-level analysis of objects, features or activities at sea more quickly and efficiently. The value-added products can be provided either as a layer on top of the original satellite image product or as a separate layer of information, for example a vector layer, or as a forecast or a climate reanalysis/prediction. The value-added products currently being offered to users include:
- vessel detection;
- feature detection;
- activity detection;
- oil spill detection;
- wind and wave information.
- These added-value Earth Observation products are available through the EMSA IMS to Member States and EFCA. They can be free at the point of use for the Member States and EFCA, as funding can be covered under the Copernicus Maritime Surveillance Service with the help of the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service. They can be visualised in the SEG and can also be provided to Frontex, on a system-to-system basis, through JORA. On the Frontex platform, they are known as the Vessel Detection Service (VDS) and the Activity Detection Service.
- Value-added products aid users by extracting particularly valuable information from the basic image products, allowing authorities to undertake higher-level analysis of objects, features or activities at sea more quickly and efficiently. The value-added products can be provided either as a layer on top of the original satellite image product or as a separate layer of information, for example a vector layer, or as a forecast or a climate reanalysis/prediction. The value-added products currently being offered to users include:
- Earth Observation vessel correlation
- Vessel detections derived from SAR and optical images are correlated against vessel data (e.g., AIS, LRIT and VMS data). This can provide an overview of which vessels are reporting in a given area, and which are not. This information is shown in two vector layers:
- VDS correlated with vessel reporting information (a vessel detected by the satellite can be matched with vessel reporting information and therefore identified); and
- VDS not correlated with vessel reporting information (a vessel detected by the satellite cannot be matched with vessel reporting information and therefore no identification of the vessel is possible).
- Users will only receive correlations of vessel reporting information for which they have been granted the relevant access rights.
- Vessel detections derived from SAR and optical images are correlated against vessel data (e.g., AIS, LRIT and VMS data). This can provide an overview of which vessels are reporting in a given area, and which are not. This information is shown in two vector layers:
Other maritime-related information platforms
The Agencies have developed different information platforms driven by the needs of their specific user communities and mandates. These platforms integrate, according to the needs and access rights, some of the data and tools described above. The main platforms are as follows:
- EFCA: The EFCA IMS provides an integrated maritime awareness picture, specifically tailored for fisheries control, which supports Member States’ fisheries control activities. It is made and built upon via the SEG developed by EMSA.
- The EFCA IMS has the ability to integrate and fuse, in real time, position data sets collected through channels such as VMS, terrestrial AIS and satellite AIS, as well as LRIT and VDS reports and satellite images delivered through the Copernicus Maritime Surveillance Service.
- The application includes a wide variety of functionalities and reference data sets and can cater for specific fisheries control tasks. These tasks range from monitoring fishing activities in EU and Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMO) waters to providing a trustworthy source of worldwide historical vessel movement information (not limited to fishing vessels) for IUU catch certificate verification (IUU Regulation).
- In addition, the integration of fisheries-specific information on maritime boundaries and fishing areas and, more importantly, on specific attributes of fishing vessels fishing activities – such as Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) vessel types, gear types, Community Fleet Register (CFR) external markings and fishing authorisation information – allows for advanced filter and search functionalities. The numerous functionalities include:
- Smart search and advanced search:
- Smart search of vessels in real time, using various IDs. Advanced search on a wider set of attributes (i.e. gear type, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna ID) giving access to historic positions.
- Single and multiple track making:
- Real-time and/or historic tracks can be made for single and multiple vessels.
- High frequency position data and the capacity to fuse various position data sources allows for comprehensive activity monitoring (i.e. transhipment and fishing activities, access monitoring).
- Automated Behaviour Monitoring:
- ABM alerts are based on specific algorithms defined according to operational needs. ABMs are particularly useful for detecting vessels entering closed areas (i.e. RTCs) or certain behaviours (i.e. transhipment).
- Export and upload:
- Smart search and advanced search:
- Results from queries such as track making, vessel searches and ABM alerts can be exported in various formats. Vessel positions and area files can be imported and linked to existing vessels.
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EMSA: The SEG is the main platform for the visualisation of SafeSeaNet and the Integrated Maritime Services, including Automated Behaviour Monitoring, for most user communities. The Integrated Maritime Services can be accessed through the SEG online graphical user interface, which is available on desktop, laptop and mobile devices (via the IMS app). These services are also available on system-tosystem interfaces, which interfaces enable users to view integrated data on their own systems and receive alerts for specific pre-determined surveillance cases.
- SEG platform:
- The SEG platform integrates and combines many different types of data, including data provided by the end user, to provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date maritime picture possible. This offers a customised service tailored specifically to the user’s requirements, and the data can be shared easily and selectively based on a set of unique capabilities.
- Data sources:
- Data is extracted from: vessel tracking systems (terrestrial AIS, LRIT and VMS); a global stream of satellite AIS; Earth Observation satellite imagery and related products; an enhanced search and rescue feature (E-SARSURPIC); additional ship and voyage information (Hazmat, port, waste, security and incident-related); nautical charts; and meteorological-oceanographic data. See Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 for further details.
- Data serving different functions:
- Integrated Maritime Services are offered to all maritime authorities and respond to the needs of users from a wide range of different functions. Users can share relevant and function-specific information with other national, regional and international authorities for missions at sea.
- Data from users:
- Users may also provide their own data, which can be correlated with other data, then sent back to them and to those with whom they choose to share it.
- Scale and geographical coverage:
- Different levels of detail can be shared at different geographical scales (national, regional and international). Users can choose to receive a general overview or specific data covering the areas of most interest to them. They can also query a specific time in the past, going as far back as 36 months.
- Access rights management:
- Distribution policies are set by the data and information owners, complying with complex landscapes of access rights management.
- Automated Behaviour Monitoring:
- The algorithm-based ABM system analyses ship positions to detect abnormal and specific vessel behaviour. Users are alerted automatically, and in real time, when certain behaviour patterns are detected.
- In addition, the main platform for managing Earth Observation products is the Earth Observation Data Centre. For RPAS operational data, the main platform is the RPAS Data Centre.
- SEG platform:
- Frontex:
- EUROSUR:
- According to the Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 November 2019 on the European Border and Coast Guard, the European Border Surveillance system (EUROSUR) is the framework for information exchange and cooperation among European Border and Coast Guards when performing border management tasks. It comprises of several elements, among them a variety of EUROSUR Fusion Services (EFS), which contribute to the compilation of the European Situational Picture (ESP) and supports Member States in defining their National Situational Pictures (NSP). They are based on the common application of surveillance tools and interagency cooperation at the EU level, including the provision of Copernicus security services (Copernicus Border Surveillance Service).
- EFS collects data from diverse data sources and platforms, and aggregates and fuses them into customised information services related to European integrated border management. These services are then delivered to authorities and other partners in EU Member States and Schengen Associated Countries.
- JORA:
- As part of EUROSUR, the Joint Operation Reporting Application is used for managing data flows and exchanging sensitive and non-sensitive unclassified data between Frontex and its internal and external stakeholders.
- Frontex introduced JORA as a web-based solution for operational information exchange in January 2011. Since then it has been continuously developed, with new functionalities added gradually over the years. Now it is a state-of-the-art solution for information exchange, including operational statistics and personal data, and delivers various EUROSUR Fusion Services to system users. More than half a million reports have been collected via JORA, contributing significantly to the European Situational Picture.
- EUROSUR: