Using Automatic Identification System Data in Vessel Route Prediction and Seaport Operations

In this paper, the authors perform a comprehensive literature review on the use of data obtained from the Automatic Identification System, with an emphasis on vessel route prediction and seaport operations. The usage of Automatic Identification System vessel’s position data in the vessel route prediction and seaport operations has been analyzed, to prove that Automatic Identification System data has a large potential to improve the efficiency of maritime transport. The authors concluded that proper vessel route prediction and route planning can improve voyage safety and reduce unnecessary costs. Furthermore, AIS can provide port authorities with early warnings, allowing them to take preemptive action to avoid possible congestions and unnecessary costs

Ship Behaviour and Ship Bridge Allision Analysis

The demand for maritime transport has increased with the growing demand for worldwide trade. This has led to a major increase in maritime traffic and ship sizes over the last decades, which raises the probability of accidents. The methods used in maritime risk assessments today are based on old hypotheses that do not include all data available today. The main objective of this thesis is to develop numerical models and methods for the analysis of what is considered as normal navigation behaviour at sea today and improve the analysis of probability for ship-bridge allisions. The first part of the thesis describes what is considered as normal meeting distance at sea today. This information is later used while identifying failure events to ensure that the event behaviour was not caused by other ships. These few cases are excluded from the methodology since the communication and situational awareness in the situations are not known. However, while studying the probability of ship-bridge accidents, it is also important to understand how waterway restrictions may affect the probability of ship-ship collisions. Therefore, this thesis also includes a study of how the improved knowledge concerning meeting distance could be used in a near ship-ship collision identification model. One of the main findings considering normal meeting distance is that small and large ships meet each other at a similar distance at sea.In the second part of the thesis, a methodology is proposed to estimate the probability of ship-bridge allision. The presented methodology uses Automatic Identification System (AIS) data and a ship manoeuvring simulator to simulate and analyse marine traffic with regards to risks for accidents, such as ship-bridge allisions. A failure event identification method is also presented, which is needed to determine the frequency, duration and behaviour for the accident scenarios. The three events that were modelled and simulated in the simulator were: drifting ship, sharp turning ship and missing turning point. The probability of the different failure events corresponded to previous statistics confirming the AIS-based methodology. This means the methods to obtain the probability and duration of the failure events could be utilised in other areas. The simulation methodology was confirmed with the probability of grounding in the Great Belt VTS area.This thesis firstly contributes to a better understanding of the modelling of probability for ship-bridge allisions. This will support bridge-building engineers who need to take into account accidental loads from ship-bridge allision while designing bridges. Secondly, this thesis also contributes to a better representation of normal behaviour at sea, which is used both in fairway designs and in estimations of ship-ship collisions

Graph-based ship traffic partitioning for intelligent maritime surveillance in complex port waters

Maritime Situational Awareness (MSA) is a critical component of intelligent maritime traffic surveillance. However, it becomes increasingly challenging to gain MSA accurately given the growing complexity of ship traffic patterns due to multi-ship interactions possibly involving classical manned ships and emerging autonomous ships. This study proposes a new traffic partitioning methodology to realise the optimal maritime traffic partition in complex waters. The methodology combines conflict criticality and spatial distance to generate conflict-connected and spatially compact traffic clusters, thereby improving the interpretability of traffic patterns and supporting ship anti-collision risk management. First, a composite similarity measure is designed using a probabilistic conflict detection approach and a newly formulated maritime traffic route network learned through maritime knowledge mining. Then, an extended graph-based clustering framework is used to produce balanced traffic clusters with high intra-connections but low inter-connections. The proposed methodology is thoroughly demonstrated and tested using Automatic Identification System (AIS) trajectory data in the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. The experimental results show that the proposed methodology 1) has effective performance in decomposing the traffic complexity, 2) can assist in identifying high-risk/density traffic clusters, and 3) is sufficiently generic to handle various traffic scenarios in complex geographical waters. Therefore, this study makes significant contributions to intelligent maritime surveillance and provides a theoretical foundation for promoting maritime anti-collision risk management for the future mixed traffic of both manned and autonomous ships

Detection of Abnormal Vessel Behaviours Based on AIS Data Features Using HDBSCAN+

 Achieving maritime security is challenging due to the vastness and complexity of the domain. Monitoring all Achieving maritime security is challenging due to the vastness and complexity of the domain. Monitoringall vessels that use this medium is humanly impossible but is needed for law enforcement. This paper proposes amachine learning solution based on HDBSCAN+ to classify the movements of vessels into ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’.This classification reduces the number of vessels that have to be monitored by law enforcement agencies to amanageable size. To date, AIS is the primary source of information that can represent vessel movements andenable the detection of maritime anomalies. The proposed model uses latitude, longitude, type of vessel, courseand speed as features of the AIS data for analysis. The performance of the proposed model is validated against the marine incidents reported by Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR). The proposed model has successfully detected the incidents reported by IFC-IOR

MODELLING AND SYSTEMATIC EVALUATION OF MARITIME TRAFFIC SITUATION IN COMPLEX WATERS

Maritime Situational Awareness (MSA) plays a vital role in the development of intelligent transportation support systems. The surge in maritime traffic, combined with increasing vessel sizes and speeds, has intensified the complexity and risk of maritime traffic. This escalation presents a considerable challenge to the current systems and tools dedicated to maritime traffic monitoring and management. Meanwhile, the existing literature on advanced MSA methods and techniques is relatively limited, especially when it comes to addressing multi-ship interactions that may involve hybrid traffic of manned ships and emerging autonomous ships in complex and restricted waters in the future. The primary research question revolves around the challenge faced by current collision risk models in incorporating the impact of traffic characteristics in complex waters. This limitation hampers their effectiveness in managing complex maritime traffic situations. In view of this, the research aims to investigate and analyse the traffic characteristics in complex port waters and develop a set of advanced MSA methods and models in a holistic manner, so as to enhance maritime traffic situation perception capabilities and strengthen decision-making on anti-collision risk control. This study starts with probabilistic conflict detection by incorporating the dynamics and uncertainty that may be involved in ship movements. Then, the conflict criticality and spatial distance indicators are used together to partition the regional ship traffic into several compact, scalable, and interpretable clusters from both static and dynamic perspectives. On this basis, a systematic multi-scale collision risk approach is newly proposed to estimate the collision risk of a given traffic scenario from different spatial scales. The novelty of this research lies not only in the development of new modelling techniques on MSA that have never been done by using various advanced techniques (e.g., Monte Carlo simulation, image processing techniques, graph-based clustering techniques, complex network theory, and fuzzy clustering iterative method) but also in the consideration of the impact of traffic characteristics in complex waters, such as multi-dependent conflicts, restricted water topography, and dynamic and uncertain ship motion behaviours. Extensive numerical experiments based on real AIS data in the world's busiest and most complex water area (i.e., Ningbo_Zhoushan Port, China) are carried out to evaluate the models’ performance. The research results show that the proposed models have rational and reliable performance in detecting potential collision danger under an uncertain environment, identifying high-risk traffic clusters, offering a complete comprehension of a traffic situation, and supporting strategic maritime safety management. These developed techniques and models provide useful insights and valuable implications for maritime practitioners on traffic surveillance and management, benefiting the safety and efficiency enhancement of maritime transportation. The research can also be tailored for a wide range of applications given its generalization ability in tackling various traffic scenarios in complex waters. It is believed that this work would make significant contributions in terms of 1) improving traffic safety management from an operational perspective without high financial requirements on infrastructure updating and 2) effectively supporting intelligent maritime surveillance and serving as a theoretical basis of promoting maritime safety management for the complex traffic of mixed manned and autonomous ships

Probabilistic approach for collision risk analysis of powered vessel with offshore platforms

The continuous increase in marine traffic and the construction of several offshore installations has led to a serious concern regarding the risks to offshore platforms from ship collisions. The main aim of this study was to carry out a probabilistic collision-risk analysis for offshore platforms exposed to powered collisions with passing vessels using an automatic identification system (AIS) database. The paper first describes the statistical distribution of the ship traffic under study and then considers how this information can be effectively used to estimate collision frequencies and impact energies for various categories of vessel, based on a simple probabilistic method. The effects of various collision mitigation measures, such as the use of enhanced collision alarming devices and the ability of platforms to rotate using thrusters, are considered in the frequency calculations. The risk method presented in this paper can be applied in the design and development phase of both new and existing platforms

Vessel Traffic Services, towards e-Navigation : the role of Oceanic VTS in global maritime surveillance

This thesis presents the study and analysis of the Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), from its origins to the present, with further evaluation of future trends. Examining the current trend in terms of technologies that are being applied in the maritime sector, the dissertation focuses on the future to draw a new paradigm. This envisages a scenario at a planetary level, following a single global traffic management system, which would create a model of the global VTS Operator. A new assignment is proposed, according to this third dimension, with Port VTS being the first level, the Coastal VTS second, and with the Oceanic VTS projected into the future, which is a substantial proposal. The foundation is based on EU projects, the most ambitious of which, currently underway, being Sea Traffic Management (STM), with a scope greater than Europe, and also on IALA VTS and ENAV Committee Working Groups, concerning the future of VTS. The study includes the reference documentation from the IMO, in resolution format, and that of the IALA, under Standards, Recommendations and Guidelines. From the first recognition of the IMO to the present, the guidelines for VTS have undergone three updates, which are analysed and compared. VTS are considered aids to navigation, AtoN, which contribute to safety of life at sea, safety and efficiency of navigation and protection of the marine environment, and are linked to ship traffic activity. Both their attributions and the implementation of VTS centres have increased over time. In addition to this, the evolution of the tools used by the VTS is examined, from its earliest stages with only two pieces of equipment, the VHF radio, and the radar. The VTS system began by looking at the air traffic model but, later, the maritime nature created necessary differentiation in terms of management and procedures. Digital technologies applied to the maritime sector take air traffic controllers’ models as a reference, and the current VTS Operator profession will acquire analogies, such as sharing route plans and checking digital inputs. This highly specialised profession is facing the challenges of satellite technology, global interconnection, and the arrival of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). New technologies bring the possibility of sharing information and controlling traffic on a global scale, beyond the territorial sea, and this scenario will make standardisation increasingly necessary throughout the maritime sector. The identification of various models of traffic management, examination of systems operating specifically in the Spanish State and reflection on the diversity that prevails is also included. Based on fieldwork, the thesis determines that the future complexities that will emerge from maritime traffic will require exhaustive risk assessment and analysis. The challenges to be faced involve maritime communications via satellite and digital technology, in the context of ‘e-Navigation’ (coined by the IMO), which will provide emerging tools, such as VDES (next generation of AIS), and a planetary-scale information exchange framework for VTS worldwide.Aquesta tesi presenta l'estudi i l'anàlisi dels Serveis de Tràfic Marítim (VTS) des dels seus orígens fins al present, avaluant tendències futures. Examinant el corrent actual en referència a les tecnologies que s'estan aplicant al sector marítim, la tesi s’orienta al futur per delinear un nou paradigma. Un escenari a nivell planetari, que segueix un únic sistema de gestió de tràfic global, i que crearà un model d'operador VTS global. Es proposa una nova assignació acord a aquesta tercera dimensió, sent el VTS Port, el primer, el VTS Costaner, el segon, i es projecta a futur el VTS Oceànic, que és la proposta substancial. La fundació es basa en projectes de la UE, on és el més ambiciós i actualment en marxa el Sea Traffic Management (STM), amb un abast superior a l'europeu i amb els grups de treball del Comitè VTS i ENAV de la IALA sobre l’esdevenidor del VTS. L’estudi inclou documentació de referència procedent de la IMO, en format resolucions; i la procedent de la IALA, sota estàndards, recomanacions i directrius. Des del primer reconeixement de la IMO fins ara, les directrius per als VTS han passat per tres actualitzacions, que s'analitzen i es comparen. Els VTS es consideren ajuts a la navegació, AtoN, que contribueixen a la seguretat de la vida humana al mar, la seguretat i l'eficiència de la navegació i la protecció del medi marí i estan vinculats a l'activitat del trànsit de vaixells, i tant les seves atribucions com la implantació de centres VTS han augmentat al llarg de temps. A més a més d'això, s'examina l'evolució de les eines utilitzades pel VTS, des de les seves primeres etapes amb només dos equips, la ràdio VHF i el radar. El sistema VTS es va iniciar fixant-se en el model aeri, però posteriorment la naturalesa marítima els va diferenciar pel que fa a gestió i procediments. Les tecnologies digitals aplicades al sector marítim prenen com a referència models similars als controladors aeris, i l'actual professió d'Operador VTS assolirà analogies com ara compartir plans de ruta amb els vaixells i comprovació d'inputs digitals. Una professió altament especialitzada que s'enfronta als reptes de la tecnologia satel·litària, la interconnexió mundial i l'arribada dels vaixells marítims autònoms de superfície (MASS). Les noves tecnologies porten la possibilitat de compartir informació i controlar el tràfic a escala global, més enllà del mar territorial, i aquest escenari farà que l'estandardització sigui cada cop més necessària a tot el sector marítim. Es considera la identificació de diversos models de gestió del tràfic, els sistemes que operen específicament a l'Estat espanyol i la reflexió sobre la diversitat que preval. A partir d'un treball de camp, la tesi determina que les complexitats que emergiran del tràfic marítim requeriran avaluació i anàlisi de riscos exhaustius. Els reptes que cal afrontar són aquells que inclouen les comunicacions marítimes via satèl·lit i la tecnologia digital en el context de l'e-Navegació, encunyat per la IMO, que proporcionaran eines emergents, com els VDES (propera generació de l’AIS), i un marc d’intercanvi d’informació a escala planetària per als VTS de tot el món.Postprint (published version

NAVIGATIONAL EFFICIENCY IN MARINE TRAFFIC OPERATIONS IN THE PORT OF KEELUNG

The rapid economic growth of Taiwan has been paralleled by an increase in marine. traffic in the port of Keelung. The increase has been evolutionary and, prior to this study, has lacked the benefit of supporting research necessary to ensure no loss in navigational efficiency. The study uses eclectic methodologies to: identify the nature of marine traffic at Keelung; assess the associated risks; and identify measures needed to reduce risk and increase navigational efficiency. For contextual purposes the study reviews current marine traffic operations at Keelung against the background of geographical constraint and environmental conditions. Radar survey and extensive sampling of professional opinion indicate that existent traffic control measures are both inadequate and open to contravention. Casualty analysis further identifies areas of concern where navigation risk has been shown to exist In particular the traffic separation scheme, introduced in 1990; has been found inadequate and lack of movement control reduces navigational efficiency. Use of visual simulators, at Taiwan Ocean University and University of Plymouth, provided a unique opportunity to compare present marine traffic operations against a modified model. The modified model incorporated limited vessel traffic service functions and channel markers, neither of which exist at present in the live situation. Most significantly the experiment has enabled evaluation of the difference between Taiwanese and foreign ship masters when handling ships in the port approaches. Analysis of ship's tracks, and subjects' perceptions, concludes that provision of channel markers and sequence control greatly simplifies the operation and reduces risk. The need to widen the traffic lanes by reducing the separation zone between inward and outward lanes is identified. The study shows that navigational safety and efficiency at Keelung can be improved through the introduction of small changes to operation and working practices, The study provides the basis for a programme of continuing work necessary to maintain or further improve standards once the recommendations of the study have been implemented.National Taiwan Ocean Universit