Automatic Identification System (AIS) as a Tool to Study Maritime Traffic: the Case of the Baltic Sea

2017 ◽  
pp. 151-159
2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 2409-2418 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Löptien ◽  
L. Axell

Abstract. The Baltic Sea is a seasonally ice-covered marginal sea located in a densely populated area in northern Europe. Severe sea ice conditions have the potential to hinder the intense ship traffic considerably. Thus, sea ice fore- and nowcasts are regularly provided by the national weather services. Typically, the forecast comprises several ice properties that are distributed as prognostic variables, but their actual usefulness is difficult to measure, and the ship captains must determine their relative importance and relevance for optimal ship speed and safety ad hoc. The present study provides a more objective approach by comparing the ship speeds, obtained by the automatic identification system (AIS), with the respective forecasted ice conditions. We find that, despite an unavoidable random component, this information is useful to constrain and rate fore- and nowcasts. More precisely, 62–67% of ship speed variations can be explained by the forecasted ice properties when fitting a mixed-effect model. This statistical fit is based on a test region in the Bothnian Sea during the severe winter 2011 and employs 15 to 25 min averages of ship speed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 3811-3828
Author(s):  
U. Löptien ◽  
L. Axell

Abstract. The Baltic Sea is a seasonally ice covered marginal sea located in a densely populated area in northern Europe. Severe sea ice conditions have the potential to hinder the intense ship traffic considerably. Thus, sea ice fore- and nowcasts are regularly provided by the national weather services. Typically, several ice properties are allocated, but their actual usefulness is difficult to measure and the ship captains must determine their relative importance and relevance for optimal ship speed and safety ad hoc. The present study provides a more objective approach by comparing the ship speeds, obtained by the Automatic Identification System (AIS), with the respective forecasted ice conditions. We find that, despite an unavoidable random component, this information is useful to constrain and rate fore- and nowcasts. More precisely, 62–67% of ship speed variations can be explained by the forecasted ice properties when fitting a mixed effect model. This statistical fit is based on a test region in the Bothnian Bay during the severe winter 2011 and employes 15 to 25 min averages of ship speed.


2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 15339-15373 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-P. Jalkanen ◽  
A. Brink ◽  
J. Kalli ◽  
H. Pettersson ◽  
J. Kukkonen ◽  
...  

Abstract. A method is presented for the evaluation of the exhaust emissions of marine traffic, based on the messages provided by the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which enable the identification and location determination of ships. The use of the AIS data enables the positioning of ship emissions with a high spatial resolution, which is limited only by the inaccuracies of the Global Positioning System (typically a few metres) that is used in vessel navigation. The emissions are computed based on the relationship of the instantaneous speed to the design speed, and these computations also take into account the detailed technical information of the ships' engines. The modelling of emissions is also based on a few basic equations of ship design, including the modelling of the propelling power of each vessel in terms of its speed. We have also investigated the effect of waves on the consumption of fuel, and on the emissions to the atmosphere. The predictions of fuel consumption were compared with the actual values obtained from the shipowners. For a RoPax vessel, the predicted and reported values of fuel consumption agreed within an accuracy of 6%. According to the data analysis and model computations, the emissions of NOx, SOx and CO2 originating from ships in the Baltic Sea in 2007 were in total 400 kt, 138 kt and 19 Mt, respectively. A breakdown of emissions by flag state, ship's type and year of construction is also presented. The modelling system can be used as a decision support tool in the case of issues concerning, e.g., health effects caused by shipping emissions, the construction of emission-based fairway dues systems or emissions trading. The computation of emissions can also be automated, which will save resources in constructing emission inventories. Both the methodologies and the emission computation program can be applied in any sea region in the world, provided that the AIS data from that specific region are available.


2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paweł Banyś ◽  
Thoralf Noack ◽  
Stefan Gewies

Abstract Since its introduction the Automatic Identification System (AIS) has played an important part in improving safety at sea, making bridge watchkeeping duties more comfortable and enhancing vessel traffic management ashore. However the analysis of a AIS data set describing the vessel traffic of the Baltic Sea came to conclusion, that specific parameters with relevance to navigation seemed to be defective or implausible. Essentially, it concerned the true heading (THDG) and the rate of turn (ROT) parameters. With the paper we are trying to clarify, which parameters of the AIS position report and to what extent, are affected. The detailed data analysis gives answers on how reliable the AIS data in different traffic areas is.


2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (23) ◽  
pp. 9209-9223 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-P. Jalkanen ◽  
A. Brink ◽  
J. Kalli ◽  
H. Pettersson ◽  
J. Kukkonen ◽  
...  

Abstract. A method is presented for the evaluation of the exhaust emissions of marine traffic, based on the messages provided by the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which enable the identification and location determination of ships. The use of the AIS data facilitates the positioning of ship emissions with a high spatial resolution, which is limited only by the inaccuracies of the Global Positioning System (typically a few metres) that is used in vessel navigation. The emissions are computed based on the relationship of the instantaneous speed to the design speed, and the detailed technical information of the engines of the ships. The modelling of emissions is also based on a few basic principles of ship design, including the modelling of the propelling power of each vessel in terms of its speed. We have investigated the effect of waves on the consumption of fuel, and on the emissions to the atmosphere. The predictions of fuel consumption were compared with the actual values obtained from the shipowners. For a Roll on – Roll off cargo/passenger ship (RoPax), the predicted and reported values of annual fuel consumption agreed within an accuracy of 6%. According to the data analysis and model computations, the emissions of NOx, SOx and CO2 originating from ships in the Baltic Sea during the full calendar year of 2007 were in total 400 kt, 138 kt and 19 Mt, respectively. A breakdown of emissions by flag state, the type of ship and the year of construction is also presented. The modelling system can be used as a decision support tool in the case of issues concerning, e.g., the health effects caused by shipping emissions or the construction of emission-based fairway dues systems or emissions trading. The computation of emissions can be automated, which will save resources in constructing emission inventories. Both the methodologies and the emission computation program can be applied in any sea region in the world, provided that the AIS data from that specific region are available.


2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-395
Author(s):  
Peter Ehlers ◽  
Anne Christine Brusendorff

AbstractPrevention of pollution from maritime traffic has been a major item for the Baltic Sea States since the beginning of their environmental co-operation in the 1970s. To ensure maritime safety in the Baltic Sea region, which is well-known for its narrow straits, shallow depths and archipelago areas, the Helsinki Commission has decided on a great number of measures during the past 20 years. In the last decade maritime transportation has been growing steadily, reflecting the intensified cooperation in the Baltic Sea region and a prospering economy which also leads to growing environmental risks. This was manifested again on 29 March 2001 with the Baltic Carrier accident. The Helsinki Commission promptly reacted by holding an extraordinary meeting on the request of the Danish Government on 10 September 2001 in Copenhagen. At the meeting, the Contracting Parties, represented through the ministers responsible for maritime transportation and the environment, and a representative from the EC agreed on a package of measures, further described below.


Baltica ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (special) ◽  
pp. 9-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Bulycheva ◽  
Igor Kuzmenko ◽  
Vadim Sivkov

The annual average features of the spatial distribution of oil pollution at the sea surface in the south–eastern part of the Baltic Sea were determined for the first time. It was shown that the most polluted areas are the seawaters west of the Sambian Peninsula and Vistula Spit, including the coastal zone that is connected to the Baltiysk, Gdansk, and Gdynia ports. The sea surface near the oilfield Kravtsovskoye D-6 (Russia) and oil terminal Būtingė (Lithuania), as well as the coastal zone near the Curonian Spit, do not suffer from oil pollution. A lower estimation of the annual average amount of oil products at the sea surface was performed. The lack of correlation between the location of the oil slicks and main navigation routes by Automatic Identification System (AIS) was explained by the infrequent but large spillages from ships that occur outside of the main traffic lanes. A significant contribution to the oil pollution of the sea surface from nonconventional ships not equipped with AIS was discovered.


2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rino Bošnjak ◽  
Ljupko Šimunović ◽  
Zvonko Kavran

Automatic Identification System (AIS) is used for security of ships and ports, their identification and protection of marine environment. Correct installation of AIS device and integration with navigation equipment is of great importance for the correct functioning of the system. To increase system accuracy correct input of data to the system is significant. Correct data interpretation depends on seafarer’s ability to recognize errors. In order for the seafarer to get acquainted with the system as well as its advantages and disadvantages high-quality seafarer’s training in the use of AIS is of utmost importance. AIS is not a navigation aid, nevertheless it can be used as a device to facilitate navigation. In this paper the authors are analysing AIS errors and proposing measures for improvement of its functioning.


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