STM Sea Traffic Management: Moving Forward The Digitalization of Maritime Traffic Flow

Abstract

Sea Traffic Management Validation (STM) is a co-funded project by the European Commission within the Connecting Europe Facility Programme of the Trans-European Transport Network. STM aims to implement at a wide scale digitisation of maritime transport, enabling efficient and real-time information exchange among relevant agents. Through data exchange among key actors like shipping companies, shore centres and ports, STM is developing an innovative framework based on digital information sharing (maritime routes, voyage plans, port operations timestamps, etc.) which will facilitate the transition of the shipping industry to a more efficient, safe and sustainable transport sector.

STM actions will be tested during the Validation phase of the project by means of the installation of new equipment on 300 ship bridges, 13 European ports and 5 shore centres. This paper comprises a reflection of the key developments of the project, putting them into context with IMO’s digitization objectives and associated regulation. The paper also gathers industry’s interests related to ship-owners and ports expectations in order to facilitate end-user adoption of the proposed STM services and technological solutions.