RECALLING Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization
concerning the functions of the Committee,
RECALLING ALSO the E-navigation Strategy Implementation Plan – update 1
(MSC.1/Circ.1595) approved by it, in particular, the need to harmonize the
exchange of maritime-related information and data to enhance berth-to-berth
navigation and related services for safety of navigation and security at sea and
protection of the marine environment,
NOTING the available Maritime Services which provide and/or exchange maritime
information and data with shipping related, but not limited to, vessel traffic
service information, navigational assistance, traffic organization, maritime safety
information, pilotage, tugs, vessel shore reporting, telemedical assistance, local
port information, nautical charts and publications, ice navigation, meteorological,
hydrographic and environmental information, search and rescue and other Maritime
Services that may be developed and implemented in the future,
RECOGNIZING the responsibilities of the Organization and other international
organizations, among others, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), the
World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the International Association of Marine
Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), the International Maritime
Pilots Association (IMPA) and the International Harbour Masters Association (IHMA),
in defining specific services under their respective domains, including technical
and product specifications, standards, guidelines and recommendations,
RECOGNIZING ALSO the need to harmonize the format and structure of Maritime Services
and the maritime-related information and data provided by them in order to enhance
the safety and efficiency of shipping,
RECOGNIZING FURTHER the need to work in collaboration with all involved international
organizations in order to harmonize the exchange of maritime information and data
provided through different Maritime Services,
NOTING the willingness of international organizations to act as domain coordinating
bodies for Maritime Services under their respective domains, in collaboration with
other relevant stakeholders,
HAVING CONSIDERED the recommendation made by the Sub-Committee on Navigation,
Communications and Search and Rescue, at its sixth session,
1 ADOPTS the Guidance on the definition and harmonization of the format and
structure of Maritime Services in the context of e-navigation, set out in
the annex to the present resolution;
2 AGREES to consolidate the descriptions of Maritime Services and to consider them
together with all involved international organizations and interested Member States
in order to harmonize the provision and exchange of maritime information and data;
3 INVITES Member States and international organizations acting as domain coordinating
bodies to submit descriptions of Maritime Services to the Organization, taking into
account the present guidance.