Imagine having an electronic chart on your PC screen displaying a coastline.  On the chart are moving icons, each one representing a vessel moving in real time.  Zooming in and out allows the user to have different perceptions of the targets in relation to each other and to the land.  By clicking on an icon (vessel), a list of information is provided for the specific target.  Target information includes name, course, speed, position, type of vessel etc. This possibility exists and we are referring to Automatic Identification System.

AIS technology was developed during the early 90’s for maritime safety purposes under the initiative of the IMO (International Maritime Organisation), who eventually applied the standard internationally.

Today, almost every vessel in the world over 300GT (SOLAS Vessels) carries an AIS class A unit, following respective International and National mandates.  The unit which is connected to other navigational equipment on board a vessel (GPS, radar, compass etc), transmits and receives information every few seconds (name, position, speed, course, etc).

Each transmission is broadcasted on one of two specified VHF frequencies for that purpose.  Nearby ships carrying AIS will receive that transmission and can view all data on their navigational equipment (electronic charts, radar etc) assisting them in making vital decisions in respect to ship movement and collision avoidance.  In other words a captain can see the position of a nearby ship oh his electronic chart, he can also see the course and speed of that ship even if weather conditions, or nightfall, or perhaps an obstacle e.g. a small island do not allow direct or good eye contact.

AIS makes navigation easier especially in high traffic regions such as ports, channels or in heavy weather conditions with low visibility and increasing collision risks.

Recently another IMO specification has allowed the development of the AIS class B unit which is the less costly solution for non mandatory cases (NON SOLAS vessels).      Many small vessels all over the world have installed AIS Class B units and can now “see” and be “seen” by class A and B AIS equipped vessels.

Class B compared to class A AIS has no difference in receiving AIS information and little difference in respect to transmitting.  It can be connected to the vessel’s plotter so a captain can see nearby AIS carrying ships.  Class B units will transmit at intervals between 30 seconds and 6 minutes as opposed to 2 sec and 6 min for class A.  Transmission intervals depend on navigational status e.g. vessel moving, turning, moored etc.   Finally, class A units have transmission priority over class B.

AIS has become a valuable tool for National Agencies around the world in respect to monitoring and managing maritime traffic in various strategic areas (Ports, waterways, canals, borders ect) with the use of land based AIS transponders (AIS Base Stations). In the past decade AIS shore based networks have been developed and installed to cover the above requirement for organisations such as Maritime Authorities Ports, Port Police and the Maritime Industry in General.

IMIS Hellas will participate in Posidonia 2008, the leading shipping Industry event held every two years in Athens from 2-6 June 2008.
The company will show its AIS related products, as well as the LRIT and People Traq solutions at stand 600d.

IMIS Hellas has completed work for 2 separate contracts for the installation of 2 VTS systems in the ports of Corfu and Igoumenitsa in Greece under the INTERREG – INTRARADAR EU projects.

Each system consists of an IMO specification AIS Base Station by CNS Systems, FURUNO ARPA RADAR, SONY IP Camera and System Server all integrated on to the IMIS Mariweb S/W platform, connected to the Port LAN and accessible remotely through the National State Run Network SYZEFXIS.

The project will enable the two Ports to accurately monitor ship movements in their respective areas of operation and provide assistance to Port officials in respect to Security, Port Management, Passenger Information and Environmental Control.

The projects which included a number of development studies were run by the Prefectures of Corfu and Thesprotia and were awarded to Greek companies “TOP VISION” and “IMPETUS” to which IMIS Hellas acted as a subcontractor.

IMIS Hellas is offering its Mariweb AIS services to TITAN Cement, one of Greece’s largest organisations.  TITAN Cement is operating its Greek business out of four distribution terminals / ports in Crete, Rhodes, Kavala and Halkida.  IMIS is providing live view of ship movement in these and other areas, as well as fleet management capability for the TITAN shipping fleet in Greek waters.

The IMIS Business Plan, including the AIS Network, was selected by the “Greek Information Society” to be subsidised with a 50% grant as part of the “Intelligent Sea Transport” project.

Under the €750,000 contract with the Information Society, IMIS Hellas utilises the network to engage in three maritime related services:

Public Automated Telephone Service for Passenger / Ferry Routes and Estimated Times of Arrival.
Web service for Port and Shipping Management.
Web service for Leisure Yacht Management.

The network operates under the Mariweb platform and is fully complied with the international recomendations and regulatiosn for AIS Networks.

IMIS Hellas is offering its services to the Municipality of Hersonisos in Crete after a tender award today. The contract involves the connection of an AIS Base Station situated in Crete, with the Mariweb Stand Alone System in the Port Organisation of Elefsina. The Municipality of Hersonisos is a partner in the AEMED European funded program, along with the Port of Elefsina and the Ministry of Mercantile Marine.

IMIS Hellas signed a grant contract with the “Greek Information Society”. The contract is valued at €750,000 and involves the building of an AIS network covering Greek waters, as well the development of three services:

· Automated Telephone Service for ferry passengers in respect to routes and ships estimated time of arrivals

· Web based Service for the Maritime industry community

· Web based service for the yachting industry community

The services will be based on the AIS technology and network infrastructure that IMIS Hellas will build with a 13 month implementation plan.