Satellite CNS for maritime transportation augmentation system (MTAS)

The development of the MTAS was to identify the possible applications for enhancement of digital selective call (DCS) MF/HF/VHF radio; satellite communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS); GPS and GLONASS; and safety systems including security and control of vessels, logistic and freight at sea, on inland waters and the security of crew and passengers on board ships, cruisers, boats and hovercrafts. These enhancements include many applications for the better management and operation of vessels and they are needed more than ever because of world merchant fleet expansion. Just the top 20 world ships registers have about 40,000 units under their national flags. Above all, the biggest problem today is that merchant ships and their crews are targets of the types of crime traditionally associated with the maritime industries, such as piracy, robbery and recently, a target for terrorist attacks. Thus, IMO and flag states will have a vital role in developing International Ship and Port Security (ISPS). The best way to implement ISPS is to design an Approaching and Port Control System (APCS) by special code augmentation satellite CNS including tracking and monitoring of all vehicle circulation in and out of the port area. The establishment of MTAS as a part of Global Satellite Augmentation Systems (GSAS) or GNSS-1, such as the US WAAS, European EGNOS, Japanese MSAS, Chinese SNAS, Indian GAGAN and future GSAS including African Satellite Augmentation System (ASAS) will meet all these requirements and will complement the services already provided by DGPS or Local VHF Augmentation System (LVAS) and MF radio beacons.