Regional integration of information and communication technologies for navigation safety in European waters

The paper presents the results of an APAS-EC DGVII-4 research study that proposes potential ways for implementing a global European information system to control and monitor the maritime traffic, integrating the existing different regional solutions, according to the European policy. Moreover, the study verifies how it is possible to develop international co-operation and to promote inter-operability between European Union, USA, Canada and Japan to create new services on a global basis. The paper begins by performing a description of scope, approach, and objectives. Then, the paper proposes the study results aimed to provide the background for a coherent development of infrastructures and systems for traffic surveillance and for the harmonisation of the teleinformatic links between ports and their partners for improving the safety and efficiency of the maritime transport in Europe