EMSA’s Traffic Density Maps (TDM), launched by EMODnet, offers a simple but effective way of displaying ship movement patterns, reports Safety4sea.
The announcement took place on December 20, 2019, with EMSA informing that users are able to browse in a carious timeframe.
Risk assessments
EMSA’s Traffic Density Maps (TDM) make it possible to tell whether an area is characterised by high or low shipping traffic. This, in turn, enables the relevant authorities to make risk assessments, improve traffic planning and enhance overall ship safety.
The ‘engine’ of EMSA’s TDM is powered by Automatic Identification System (AIS) data received by EMSA from its data providers (member states from their coastal receivers and commercial and non-commercial providers of signals received from satellites).
AIS data for vessel monitoring
AIS data are essentially messages sent by ships’ on-board transponders transmitting information such as position, speed, ship type, etc. initially conceived to enhance maritime safety and security.
EMSA receives near-real-time AIS messages in the framework of the vessel traffic monitoring and information system, SafeSeaNet.
EMSA and DG MARE agreement
The TDM are available to the public from EMODnet Human Activities, the European Commission’s entry point to geographic information on the use of the oceans. This was possible thanks to an agreement signed between EMSA and DG MARE.
Concluding, recently EMSA launched a report presenting its five-year strategic priorities for 2020-2024, explaining which are the steps to be taken to continue being “the centre of excellence for a safe and sustainable EU maritime sector“.
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Source: Safety4sea
