Verma, B.K

Abstract
Globalisation of the world economy and the interdependence of nations thereof, has ensured that the security of global maritime trade remains a priority security issue for the state administrations. Maritime terrorism, illegal arms and drug trafficking, piracy etc., continue to remain the scourge of trading nations. Visibility and identification through maritime domain awareness (MDA) has come to be universally recognised as the basic tenet of the process to ensure maritime security. In 2000, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) decision for mandatory provision of automatic identification system (AIS) onboard merchant ships and International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) compliance by ports served to significantly enhance maritime security. With increased perceptions of threat post 9/11, further measures were discussed to augment maritime security during the 2002 International Convention for the Security of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Conference organised by the IMO. The mandatory security measures, adopted in December 2002, included a number of amendments to the 1974 SOLAS. The Conference also adopted Resolution 3, for “further work by the IMO pertaining to enhancement of maritime security” and Resolution 10 for “early implementation of long range ship’s identification and tracking (LRIT).” During the 81st session of the Maritime Safety Committee, held at IMO Headquarters in London on May 10-19, 2006 regulations for LRIT were included in SOLAS Chapter V on Safety of Navigation. LRIT was made a mandatory requirement with effect from December 31, 2008 for merchant ships (over 300 gross registered tonnage — GRT) on international voyages and mobile offshore drilling units. LRIT entitles SOLAS Contracting Governments to receive information about ships navigating within a distance not exceeding 1,000 nautical miles (nm) off their coast. The regulation was scheduled to enter into force on January 01, 2009. Though the deadline of December 31, 2008 has elapsed, the implementation of LRIT could not be executed due to lack of conformity by all contracting nations. This paper deliberates on the concept of LRIT and traces its development while specifically exploring its relevance to India in terms of implementation and operation. At the threshold of entering LRIT enabled maritime awareness domain, it would be prudent for India to put in place procedures and infrastructure that will maximise the system output.
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