Crime and illegal activities (piracy, trafficking, intensive fishing) and the many issues at stake (resources, trade) are driving the development of new maritime surveillance technologies.
The seas and oceans cover around 70% of the Earth’s surface. 80% of world trade is transported by sea, and around 99% of global data traffic (telephone, internet) travels via undersea cables. The seabed is teeming with precious resources (fish, minerals, oil, gas). These are the reasons why maritime spaces have for years been the scene of conflicts and illegal practices, even crimes such as human trafficking. Numerous maritime security and surveillance systems are being created, developed and improved in order to combat the threats and wars linked to marine areas.
Satellite for maritime surveillance
One of the many surveillance systems is the Automatic Identification System (AIS). It allows the position of one vessel to be signalled to another and to the coastal authorities by means of transponders. As a result, under Regulation 19 of the SOLAS Convention (Safety of life at sea), Chapter V, its use was required in 2000 by bodies such as IMO, in order to know where different vessels are located, and to avoid collisions. However, the weak point of AIS is the ease with which it can be modified, using hacking software for example, to mislead on the geographical position of the boat. This is a common practice in illegal maritime activities.
Because of certain shortcomings, it is becoming essential to improve the technological tools for maritime surveillance. Like GPS, satellites are used to geolocate ships. Unseenlabs, a company set up in 2015, has designed satellites that can be used to track ships by locating radio-frequency transmitters and electromagnetic waves. The electromagnetic fingerprints can be traced back to the boat being sought. This device is sold to a number of customers, including members of the government and companies. It can be used to monitor ships that are not using their communications equipment. The company is deploying these satellites primarily to combat illegal fishing, trafficking and piracy. Unlike GPS positioning, which requires the use of three satellites (a process known as ‘satellite triangulation’), a single satellite created by Unseenlabs is all that is needed to geolocate a vessel. It can cover up to 500,000 km². The system created by the company makes it possible to find ships whose AIS has been deactivated.
Drones and autonomous vehicles for maritime surveillance
To ensure the safety and preservation of marine areas, many naval drones have been perfected. They can be used underwater, on the surface or in the air, and are highly effective at detecting threats. They enable surveillance to be carried out over a wider area, at lower cost, and with greater discretion.
Aerial drones are shaped like helicopters. They offer excellent precision when landing on ships, whatever the weather. Their innovation lies in the development of cybersecurity and their autonomy. They are used for surveillance of other ships, rescue operations and pollution detection. Surface drones, also known as Unmanned Surface Vessels, are autonomous but comply with international maritime regulations. They are highly discreet and virtually undetectable. They can be used to monitor the environment and transport a variety of goods. Among the various examples of surface drones is the DriX, which carries out ‘mapping missions’. Underwater drones are also autonomous, capable of diving to depths of several hundred metres. They are programmed with a special mission and a set duration, and are equipped with cameras and sonar. The autonomy of these drones means that the crew’s workload can be reduced.
Maritime Surveillance : development of sonar and communication systems
The Starlink venture will expand the development of the Internet between drones and land shores, ensuring faster communication and much higher throughput. More satellites will mean more reliable information. THALES is renowned for developing sonar sensors and improving listening systems. These devices make it easier to detect dangers in the most inaccessible spaces. There are two types of sonar: passive sonar, which listens to the various sounds and noises in marine space, and active sonar, which emits waves and assesses distance and shape. This can be very useful for detecting ‘stealth’ submarines.
Among the devices developed for maritime surveillance, hydrophones are highly effective for underwater use. They are capable of ‘transforming acoustic waves into electrical signals in liquids’, and of detecting sound signals and the sonar signals of other military vessels. They play a major role in preserving the environment, thanks to their ability to detect ‘oil slicks’ that may be caused by a spill.
A number of projects are underway to ensure high-level surveillance of high-risk areas and the environment, such as the use of the Internet of Things (IOT), which will promote wider internet coverage and thus ensure greater reliability of information. However, there is a need to offset the energy requirements to ensure a certain throughput and a continuous flow of data.
Artificial Intelligence is becoming increasingly common in maritime surveillance. The system developed by SEA.AI enables highly accurate detection and rapid alerting by calculating data from thermal cameras. They are operational 24 hours a day.
Blockchain for the maritime world
In a world where the Internet is used on a massive scale, new systems are being put in place to meet consumer demands. The data transmitted by the various companies must be protected. Blockchain refers to ‘blocks’ of shared data containing ‘electronic information in digital formats’, stored securely. The blockchain is a mesh that can hold orders and product information, but does not keep the data freely accessible. Blockchain technology in the field of maritime surveillance is particularly relevant to logistics. This device is renowned for its high reliability and secure protection of data and information. Blockchain also makes it possible to trace the products transported and determine the fuel used. Identifying a product that may be dangerous increases its traceability and restricts the risks of manipulation and falsification. In 2019, London-based start-up BunkerTrace is unveiling its blockchain-based fuel traceability project.
International collaboration and data sharing
To be most effective, maritime surveillance requires the collaboration of many countries, to ensure safety in the many marine areas and the preservation of the environment. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is an organisation set up by the United Nations to ensure the safety of maritime transport and its impact on the environment. It monitors and manages maritime traffic and provides training. Its aim is to establish fair and internationally applicable rules. It also highlights the many innovations in maritime technology. The rules put in place by the IMO also apply to the design, fitting out and manning of ships. These rules are based on numerous international conventions (51 by 2022).
The Organisation is also working on a ‘2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ and on the ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs). These goals include the project to decarbonise maritime areas. To achieve this, an Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme has been set up. This programme helps governments facing difficulties in applying IMO treaties on maritime transport safety and environmental protection.
To carry out its missions, the IMO has set up a number of partnerships via the Department of Partnerships and Projects, initiated by Mr Kitack Lim, IMO Secretary General. Numerous partnerships have been established between IMO member states, financial institutions, NGOs and private companies. These include the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter, GESAMP, REMPEC, GloFouling and Mepseas.
