- Full service begins 2021 after next year trial run- 

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister MOON, Seong-Hyeok) will conduct a trial run of ‘e-Navigation Maritime Services’ using LTE-Maritime network(LTE-M) in 2020. 

The International Maritime Organization(IMO) adopted the ‘Strategy Implementation Plan(SIP)’ of e-Navigation in 2014, which aims to reduce the marine accidents caused by human errors as well as to improve the efficiency of ships and ports. Development of the international standards for e-Navigation maritime services(`19.6 adopted by IMO) is completed, and a basis to globally implement the e-navigation serviecs has been established.

So far, ships have been operated based on analog technologies such as radar, paper chart and very high-frequency voice communication. And this has had  a limit in preventing of human errors (82% of all marine accidents) due to the increased burden on operators during navigation. However, introduction of e-Navigation is expected to significantly contribute to preventing marine accidents as it will be operated as a globally harmonized digital solutions based of ICT technology, allowing operators to focus more on safe operation.
 
In particular, Korea will implement e-Navigation maritime services using the world-first LTE-Maritime digital communication network from 2021. And the services include a real-time ENC updating and streaming service, Route optimization service, custom-made maritime safety information service and other digital maritime services.

To achieve this, MOF will complete deploying the necessary infrastructures along all the coast of the Korean peninsula, including 620 shore base stations of LTE-Maritime communication network and its operation centers by December this year, for their trial run from early 2020. It is planning to optimize the LTE-M communication network and improve its service quality through the trial run, so that a full e-Navigation service may begin in 2021 for coastal ships and fishing boats.
 
 The LTE-Maritime network is able to deliver the large amount of data up to the sea 100km away from coast. MOF has completed an efficiency  verification of benefited LTE-Maritime network last week(2019.12.13.) through a  sea trial test between Pohang and Ulleung and this has confirmed the average communication speed, which is 10Mbps up to the sea 100km away from the coast.

The average communication speed of 10 Mbps is about 1000 times faster than AIS(Automatic Identification System), a current shipborne data communication equipment, and is 30 times faster than the very high frequency digital communication (VDES, VHF Data Exchange) which is assigned for e-navigation-use by IMO.

  Kim Minjong, the general for Maritime affairs and safety policy bureau, MOF, said that “Recently, various technologies such as autonomous ship and smart maritime logistics system are being developed to innovate the traditional maritime industry.” And he also said that “We expect that the 4th industrial revolution in the international maritime sector will be promoted by creating a foothold for the introduction of these new technologies by deploying  LTE-Maritime network and implementing of e-navigation services. ”

□ Overview

 ㅇ Deploy Base station (Approx. 620), Control system, and center to enable LTE speed communication services(provide e-Nav services and etc.) up to the sea 100km away from coast

 ㅇ (Period) ’19.5.30 ∼ ‘20.12.31

 ㅇ (Contracted Amount)  33.484 billion won

 ㅇ (Contractor) KT Consortium

□ Details

□ Future Plans

 ㅇ Build base station and control system: 〜‘19. 12.

 ㅇ Nationwide LTE-M network  trial run :  ‘20. 1. 〜 12.