Using Geospatial Technologies to Improve Maritime Security
- Paper number
IAC-06-E3.3.01
- Author
Mr. Nicolas Peter, European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), Austria
- Coauthor
Dr. Ray A. Williamson, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
In recent years, maritime security has become of principal concern for policy-makers because of the importance of protecting world trade and security of life, property, and society. Furthermore, productive maritime environments also need to be secure from serious degradation and pollution. Remote sensing, Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), and other geospatial technologies can assist in assuring maritime security.
World trade depends deeply on maritime transport. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that 5.8 billion tons of goods were traded by sea in 2001, accounting for over 80
Maritime commerce, which involves a complex multimodal, international transportation network, poses several challenges from a security standpoint. The risks are numerous and the vulnerabilities important, and range from the possibility of physical breaches in the integrity of shipments to the use of vessels themselves as weapons. Moreover, sea-going vessels can be the target of attacks. Hence, the protection of critical transportation infrastructure, including ports, is of great concern to the world community.
Geospatial technologies are well suited for monitoring the maritime environment. Novel capabilities of recent and planned sensors are opening new possibilities for developing more advanced and efficient tools for maritime security.
This paper presents the results of policy research on the use of space systems to assist maritime security and explores the benefits and limitations of the use of these technologies for improving overall maritime security.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-E3.3.01.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.