Global Tracking and Monitoring Systems

LRIT – Long Range Identification Tracking System

The launch of the LRIT System for commercial shipping planned by the IMO since 2002 is just around the corner. The planned launch date is now 07.01.2008 for all commercial ships over 300 GRT, provided they do not operate exclusively under AIS. The transitional period for retrofitting should be completed by 06.30.2009. The exact explanations of the IMO can be found here. The European Union, however, intends that if they travel between ports all ships not previously subject to IMO requirements should be fitted with LRIT in accordance with a timetable still to be proposed. It is also to be assumed that nearly all commercial ships will have to be fitted with LRIT.

SatCheck  and LRIT

At the invitation of the BSH Germany(Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency) comprehensive tests were carried out on a research ship with the systems offered by SatPro. Unlike other systems, these met all requirements placed on a LRIT system straight away. These requirements essentially consist of automatically reporting the position of a ship to an international data center every 4 hours and being able to change the interval between position reports autonomously down to a minimum of 15 minutes at the request of a Member State. This should be able to be carried out autonomously by the international data center without impacting the ship's crew. With its own data processing center SatPro is in this respect able to process all relevant LRIT data with the data center.

Shipping companies and LRIT

Shipping companies will initially not have any benefits from the deployment of LRIT systems as they will have to assume all acquisition and installation costs. The connection costs incurred should, however, be assumed by the individual Member States; follow-up costs are therefore not be expected. SatPro, however, offers all its clients the possibility of having access to all position data via personal Internet access and thus of having full information about the position of the entire fleet at any time. Clients also naturally have the possibility to change or activate the report intervals or individual polls themselves so that the individual needs of the owner are respected. Shipping companies which have already installed expensive tracking systems could dispense with these in future.

Devices for LRIT

The IMO fundamentally leaves the issue open, of which devices LRIT will be executed. It must, however, be ensured that these function worldwide and the LRIT requirements are met. There will probably only be a very small number of satellite operators who will be able to offer global coverage and suitable devices at the same time. Systems operated via INMARSAT will probably prove to be the best for shipping because INMARSAT has been the most established partner in the shipping sector for decades. In most cases existing devices fitted to ships do not meet LRIT requirements and it should therefore be examined whether conversion is possible and what costs including installation can be expected. This can possibly be a very long and expensive process.

SatCheck solutions for LRIT

With the world's smallest satellite terminal DMR200-D we can supply a system which meets all LRIT requirements. This device can also be fitted easily by the ship's crew because it only requires a power supply of between 9 and 30 volts. Installation therefore only takes a few minutes. The device is weatherproof and has only to be installed so that a quasi-optical link to the INMARSAT satellites exists. The same devices are also used for the SSAS service and have been deployed over 120,000 times to date. The prices for devices offered by SatCheck will be at the lowest level of all LRIT solutions, with assistance also being provided by our 24-hour service. Send us an e-mail and we will be happy to send you an offer.

Tip for LRIT purchase

LRIT devices will have to be purchased for tens of thousands of ships and the schedule for the planned launch is very tight. From experience many shipping companies will make a decision at very short notice. This means that supply bottlenecks can be expected if shipping companies do not react in time. After all, a fleet has to be equipped which is constantly on the move. Manufacturers of LRIT devices will also certainly not produce on stock. Enormous damage can be incurred if no port entry permit is granted due to a lack of required systems on board. We recommend securing an option for a fixed delivery date in time. We are happy to advise you.

Errors and omissions excepted. Subject to alteration without notice.